Dentists' attitudes to the shortened dental arch concept

The aim of restorative dentistry in high-risk groups tends to shift over time from the preservation of complete dental arches towards the preservation of functional dental arches, using a functionally oriented approach. An example of this approach, aimed at limited treatment goals, is the shortened dental arch (SDA) concept. The objective of this study was to investigate dentists' attitudes to the SDA concept in general practice. A questionnaire seeking information pertaining to the attitudes and application of the SDA concept in clinical practice was sent to all dentally qualified members of staff in the field of restorative dentistry in the Nijmegen School of Dentistry (n = 64). From a 64% response, it was found that all but one of the respondents view the SDA concept as having a useful place in clinical practice. Although the respondents indicated only regular or occasional use of SDA in < 10% of patients, the outcome of SDA management was generally satisfactory or at least sufficient, notably in the care of special category patients. The findings support the view that the SDA concept has a role in contemporary clinical practice.