Current trends in removable partial denture teaching in British dental schools

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Prosthodontics
• Removable Partial Dentures

Background:

• Current teaching methodologies for removable partial denture (RPD) construction in UK dental schools are under review.
• Understanding the practical training students receive is crucial for ensuring future dental professionals are adequately prepared.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and report on the current state of teaching removable partial denture construction within British dental schools.
• To identify trends and potential gaps in the technical and clinical training provided.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed via email to all 15 dental schools across the United Kingdom.
• Data analysis focused on responses from 12 established dental institutions.

Main Results:

• All responding schools incorporate pre-clinical/technical courses, but minimal technical work is completed for clinical RPD cases.
• The majority of RPD teaching occurs in multidisciplinary clinics during years 2-5, with a focus on basics early in the program.
• There is a noted decrease in treated cases, especially those involving cobalt-chromium frameworks, with a significant reduction in the technical component of training.

Conclusions:

• Participating UK dental schools appear to fulfill the General Dental Council's educational standards.
• A slight reduction in student clinical RPD case numbers and a more pronounced decrease in the technical aspects of RPD construction have been observed.