Guidelines for a minimum acceptable protocol for the construction of complete dentures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of obtaining expert consensus on the prosthodontic principles to be followed when constructing complete dentures, so that any modifications to materials and methods would not sacrifice those principles--a philosophy known as "appropriatech." These principles would then comprise a Minimum Acceptable Protocol (MAP) for complete dentures.


METHODS
A Delphi survey technique was used that requested yes/no answers to a variety of statements describing the different stages in the construction of complete dentures. Respondents could also provide comments on any aspect of the questionnaire. The statements were then modified in light of the responses and comments received, and recirculated. Three rounds of questionnaires were used, and only statements achieving a 90% or greater consensus were included in the MAP. The respondents were randomly selected by country from the 2004 membership e-mail list of the International College of Prosthodontists.


RESULTS
Forty-one respondents answered the first questionnaire, 39 the second, and 36 the third. The 75 statements in the first questionnaire were gradually reduced as consensus was reached, and eventually 18 statements remained with 90% or greater agreement.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though expert opinion is regarded as the lowest level of evidence, there are no other methods available to derive such a protocol, and the Delphi technique was useful in obtaining the consensus. This MAP could now be used to help assess clinical techniques that attempt to reduce time and costs while producing a quality service-in other words, which will conform to the philosophy of appropriatech.
Owen
C Peter
CP
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Oral Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. owenp@dentistry.wits.ac.za
D032921:Consensus; D017046:Cost Savings; D003697:Delphi Technique; D003779:Denture Design / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires