Clinical experience of residents with RPD treatment in U.S. graduate prosthodontics programs.
This cross-sectional study was conducted to quantify the clinical experience of prosthodontic residents with cast metal removable partial denture (RPD) treatment based on their year of training, geographic location of the program, and nature of the program. A web-based survey consisting of five questions was e-mailed to program directors from forty-two programs across the United States. A 62 percent response rate was obtained (26/42). Thirteen of the programs (50 percent of respondents) stipulated a specific number of RPDs to be done prior to completion of the program. Clinical experience of residents varied vastly based on year of training, geographic location of the program, and nature of the program. Prosthodontic residents from southern states, university-based programs, and public school programs had more clinical experience than residents from other programs. The average clinical experience for a prosthodontic resident during three years of training was eight traditional RPDs and two implant-supported RPDs. This is the first study done exploring this topic and provides baseline information on residents' clinical experience in RPD treatment. Future studies will determine educational trends and reassess this portion of the curriculum in graduate prosthodontics.
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. avinashbidra@yahoo.com
Avinash S
AS
Bidra
John R
JR
Agar
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education*; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D015921:Dental Implants