Complete denture education in U.S. dental schools. 2005

Vicki C Petropoulos, and Behnoush Rashedi
Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6003, USA. VPetropoulos@aol.com

OBJECTIVE In 2001, a survey of U.S. dental schools was conducted to determine curricular content, teaching philosophies, and techniques used in clinical complete denture programs. METHODS The questionnaire was mailed to the chairperson of the prosthodontic/restorative department of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 44 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 82%. The mean, median, and range of responses were computed where applicable. RESULTS Results from this survey show that a large majority of schools are using similar materials in clinical complete denture treatment: irreversible hydrocolloid for preliminary impression (87%); light-cured composite resin for record base fabrication (70%); a semiadjustable articulator (98%); and semianatomic posterior tooth form used exclusively or in combination with other tooth forms (75%). In addition, a large majority of schools are using similar techniques in clinical complete denture treatment: use of a protrusive record (80%); use of extra-oral measurements, speech, and esthetics for establishing the occlusal vertical dimension (59%); use of the conventional compression molding method for processing complete dentures (82%); occlusal equilibration and face-bow preservation (75%); and the clinical remount procedure (91%). A quality control program is present for cases sent to and returned from the laboratory in 73% and 84% of responding schools, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Clinical complete denture predoctoral programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on many topics. Only 55% of schools reported incorporating new educational materials such as the use of dental implants and treatment of patients with implant-retained overdentures at the predoctoral level. Sixteen percent are allowing students to graduate without a set number of required complete dentures as has traditionally been the case. Sixteen percent are using newer techniques such as injection molding and microwave processing technique in addition to the conventional processing technique.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011476 Prosthodontics A dental specialty concerned with the restoration and maintenance of oral function by the replacement of missing TEETH and related structures by artificial devices or DENTAL PROSTHESES. Dentistry, Prosthetic,Prosthetic Dentistry
D011786 Quality Control A system for verifying and maintaining a desired level of quality in a product or process by careful planning, use of proper equipment, continued inspection, and corrective action as required. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Control, Quality,Controls, Quality,Quality Controls
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D003479 Curriculum A course of study offered by an educational institution. Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D003824 Denture, Complete A denture replacing all natural teeth and associated structures in both the maxilla and mandible. Complete Denture,Complete Dentures,Dentures, Complete
D003828 Denture, Overlay Removable prosthesis constructed over natural teeth or implanted studs. Overdenture,Dentures, Overlay,Overdentures,Overlay Denture,Overlay Dentures
D004497 Education, Dental Use for articles concerning dental education in general. Dental Education
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012575 Schools, Dental Educational institutions for individuals specializing in the field of dentistry. Dental Schools,Dental School,School, Dental
D013674 Technology, Dental The field of dentistry involved in procedures for designing and constructing dental appliances. It includes also the application of any technology to the field of dentistry. Dental Technology

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