title: Content and goals of preclinical prosthodontic programs at german-language dental schools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) makes recommendations regarding the skills graduates of European dental schools need to achieve and advises dental schools regarding necessary changes to be made to the curriculum. In 2010 to 2011, a survey was conducted in German-language dental schools to validate the curricula and goals of preclinical prosthodontic programs with regard to laboratory work.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey was mailed to the course instructors of the preclinical programs at 37 dental schools. Of these, 35 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 95%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bent wire, wax-up exercises, metal-ceramic single crowns, fixed dental prostheses, cast metal single crowns, temporary removable dental prostheses, and full dentures were part of the dental laboratory work at most schools; however, most instructors considered laboratory work as less important, and there were few similarities among the programs in this area. According to the instructors responsible for preclinical education, honing of fine motor skills, realistic self-assessment, and the ability to work independently were the main goals of the programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this survey show that with regard to laboratory work, there were more differences than similarities among preclinical prosthodontic programs at German-language dental schools, contrary to the recommendations of the ADEE. These findings should be taken into account when program reforms are planned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, University of Halle, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Jeremias
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hey
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stimmelmayr
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beuer
mesh_terms: D003442:Crowns; D003479:Curriculum; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D003779:Denture Design; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D003833:Denture, Partial, Temporary; D004497:Education, Dental; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D009048:Motor Skills; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012575:Schools, Dental; D012647:Self-Assessment
keywords: Prosthodontics; dental curriculum; dental schools