OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify essential factors for establishing a national dental implant registry. METHODS: Following a literature review to identify existing national dental implant registries, discussions were carried out with Norwegian medical registry stakeholders. To evaluate methods for collecting data, a pilot study, performing prospective registration of dental implants inserted or removed in five dental clinics during a period of two years, was conducted. RESULTS: Few national dental implant registries were identified. In the pilot study, 1,326 dental implants placed in 781 patients were registered. One year after insertion, the estimated failure was 2.9 % (95% CI: 2.0-4.1). Based on collaboration with clinicians, the dataset was revised to enhance the accuracy of details of implant placement. Registry procedures were structured for easy integration with electronic patient records, focusing on patient details, planned prosthetic restoration, surgical procedures, and dates for implant placement or loss CONCLUSIONS: When establishing a national dental implant register, interaction with clinicians, efficient data collection, regulatory compliance, and resources to maintain the registry are essential. Prioritizing relevant and adequate variables based on a "need-to-know" principle is crucial. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A national dental implant registry could enable generalization of findings and provide comprehensive success rates across diverse patient groups and clinical settings. This study contributes insights on establishing a national dental implant registry to improve the quality of implants used in clinical practice.