The practice of complete denture prosthodontics by selected dental graduates

Graduates of a dental school in the southeastern United States were surveyed for the procedures they used in practicing complete denture prosthodontics. Of the 530 graduates representing 15 graduating classes, 80% returned the questionnaires. Most respondents (94.8%) made complete dentures, but only 3.5% devoted more than 20% of their practice time to this phase of prosthodontics. In practice, the average graduate performed approximately one half of the techniques that had been judged academically to be clinically essential. Compliance decreased proportionately with the number of years in practice. Factors affecting compliance include the influence of peer practitioners and continuing education courses. The content of the predoctoral curriculum needs to be reviewed for its relevancy to continuing education and to dental practice.