The shortened dental arch concept--attitudes of dentists in Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
The shortened dental arch concept is a problem-oriented strategy to reduce complex restorative treatment in the posterior regions. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of Tanzanian dentists about this concept.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all 77 dentists treating patients in Tanzania. The questionnaire contained items to assess the dentist's opinions such as dentist's judgement about the oral function of subjects with shortened dental arches, the type of treatment (or no treatment) of subjects with shortened dental arches and the reactions of patients to the proposal to shorten the dental arch. A short description about the problem-oriented approach and the shortened dental arch concept was included.


RESULTS
Most of the responding dentists judged that shortened dental arches can provide satisfactory or acceptable chewing function (71%) and dental appearance (79%). Most dentists (89%) indicated that the shortened dental arch concept, as an example of a problem-oriented approach, has a useful place in clinical practice. However, most dentists (89%) inserted free-end acrylic partial dentures in these cases. Dentists with experience to apply the concept indicated that most of the patients have no objections after explanation of the proposal to shorten the dental arch.


CONCLUSIONS
From this study it is concluded that the shortened dental arch concept is an acceptable strategy for dentists in Tanzania. However, many dentists doubt its implementation in clinical practice.
Sarita
Paulo T N
PT
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Witter
Dick J
DJ
Kreulen
Cees M
CM
Creugers
Nico H J
NH
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003815:Dentists; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011340:Problem Solving; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*