Vicki C Petropoulos1, Behnoush Rashedi. 1. Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6003, USA. vp718@comeast.net
Abstract
PURPOSE: A survey of U.S. dental schools was conducted in 2001 to determine the curricular structure, techniques, and materials used in predoctoral clinical removable partial denture (RPD) programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The questionnaire was mailed to the chairperson of the prosthodontic/restorative departments of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 44 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 82%. RESULTS: Results from this survey show that a large majority of schools are using similar materials in clinical RPDs; for instance, using modeling compound for border molding final impression trays (61%) and using a semi-adjustable articulator for mounting preliminary casts (90%) and final casts (98%). In addition, a large majority of schools are using similar techniques in clinical RPDs, such as border molding the edentulous areas of the final impression tray (80%) and using the altered cast impression technique (59%). A set post-insertion protocol is present for patients who receive partial dentures in the majority of the schools (93%). Only 25% of schools reported incorporating new educational materials such as the use of Portrait artificial teeth at the predoctoral level. Eighteen percent of schools are allowing students to graduate without a set number of RPD clinical requirements as has been traditionally the case. CONCLUSIONS: Predoctoral clinical RPD programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on many topics. Copyright (c) 2006 by The American College of Prosthodontists.
PURPOSE: A survey of U.S. dental schools was conducted in 2001 to determine the curricular structure, techniques, and materials used in predoctoral clinical removable partial denture (RPD) programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The questionnaire was mailed to the chairperson of the prosthodontic/restorative departments of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 44 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 82%. RESULTS: Results from this survey show that a large majority of schools are using similar materials in clinical RPDs; for instance, using modeling compound for border molding final impression trays (61%) and using a semi-adjustable articulator for mounting preliminary casts (90%) and final casts (98%). In addition, a large majority of schools are using similar techniques in clinical RPDs, such as border molding the edentulous areas of the final impression tray (80%) and using the altered cast impression technique (59%). A set post-insertion protocol is present for patients who receive partial dentures in the majority of the schools (93%). Only 25% of schools reported incorporating new educational materials such as the use of Portrait artificial teeth at the predoctoral level. Eighteen percent of schools are allowing students to graduate without a set number of RPD clinical requirements as has been traditionally the case. CONCLUSIONS: Predoctoral clinical RPD programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on many topics. Copyright (c) 2006 by The American College of Prosthodontists.
Authors: Hafiz Adawi; Saurabh Jain; Afnan Yahya M Atiah; Najwa Khaled Salwy; Lamyaa Ali M Khormi; Sumayyah Ahmed Adawi; Aeshah Y M Atiah; Aparna Aggarwal Journal: J Int Soc Prev Community Dent Date: 2021-04-15