Maxillofacial prosthetics--an international perspective of the British status quo.

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a recognized subspecialty of prosthodontics. In considering the international status of maxillofacial prosthetics it is found that this unique and superspecialized discipline has a varied implementation both in terms of educational structures employed and clinical services provided. There is a dirth of available literature on education in maxillofacial prosthetics. The available literature is reviewed and the conclusion drawn is that very little undergraduate or postgraduate curriculum time is devoted to maxillofacial prosthetics in prosthodontic curricula. This, it is felt, adds to the ignorance of this important aspect of dentistry. Educational guidelines are reviewed and from this it is evident that the North American model of prosthodontic education and training differs greatly from the British one. This dichotomy appears to have impacted on prosthodontic training in other countries. Maxillofacial prosthetics enjoys special status in the United States but does not seem to be an important aspect of training in the British model. Indeed there is little evidence that maxillofacial prosthetics is an important focus of the British Consultant in Restorative Dentistry. Given the availability of the superb skills of the British trained maxillofacial prosthetic technicians and the hospital based restorative services, it is remarkable that the Restorative Consultants have not exercised their natural opportunity to lead internationally in both clinical and research areas, in this important discipline of dentistry. This must undoubtably pose a challenge for the British dental profession as a whole in the future.