ObjectivesThis study is to investigate the referral pattern and treatment modality of dentists in the management of peri-implant diseases between periodontists and non-periodontist dentists (NPDs).Materials and methodsA total of 167 validated questionnaires were obtained from periodontists and NPDs, who had experience of placing implants for at least one year. Question I to IV asked how the dentist would respond if a patient came for treatment of their peri-implant diseases with four different scenarios according to resource of patient and disease severity. For each Scenario, dentists also replied which treatment procedures they would use if they decide to treat the patient.ResultsPeriodontal training, resource of patient, and disease severity were shown to significantly influence the referral pattern and treatment modality in the management of peri-implant disease (p< 0.05). Periodontists were more likely to use variable treatment procedures, including occlusal adjustment (OR = 2.283,p< 0.01), oral hygiene instruction (OR = 3.751,p< 0.001), topical antiseptic agent (OR = 2.491,p< 0.005), non-surgical mechanical therapy (OR = 2.689,p< 0.001), surgical therapy (OR = 2.009,p< 0.01), and remove implant (OR = 3.486,p< 0.001) to treat peri-implant diseases, compared to NPDs.ConclusionThe periodontal specialty training, resource of patient, and disease severity significantly influenced the referral pattern and treatment modality of dentist treating an implant diagnosed with peri-implant disease. This study also highlighted the importance of educating basic periodontal and peri-implant disease-related knowledge to all dentists regularly performing dental implant treatments.Clinical relevancePeri-implant diseases are highly prevalent among patients with dental implants. Periodontal specialty training could enhance using variable treatment procedures to treat peri-implant diseases for dentists.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-023-03135-3.