A 10‐Year Survey of US Deans: Trends,Challenges, and Mentoring in Prosthodontics. Part 2

Purpose: Part 2 of this survey reports on the 2009 survey findings distributed to the deans of US dental schools. A national, electronic survey of 58 dental school deans was distributed by e‐mail to evaluate an interest in specialty training, an interest in specialty training in prosthodontics, faculty shortage issues, predoctoral curriculum in prosthodontics, ideology regarding dental specialties, and the administrative position of prosthodontics within the schools. Materials and Methods: The survey data were transferred to an online spreadsheet program for statistical analysis (Key Survey, Inc. http://www.keysurvey.com , Braintree, MA). The opinions of dental school deans were viewed as legitimate indicators of change within predoctoral and postdoctoral prosthodontic education. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica Version 9.1 (Statsoft, Tulsa, OK). Results: Of the 58 deans, 42 deans responded, for a 72.4% response rate. Twenty‐three deans reported an increase in the number of students seeking specialty training after dental school. Only three deans reported a decrease in those seeking specialty training. In the 2009 survey, 45% the deans responded that there was an increased interest in prosthodontics. One or more open faculty positions in prosthodontics existed at 24 (59%) of the dental schools, and 30 (71%) offered at least one incentive or a variety of incentives to recruit faculty. The 2009 respondents to the deans’ survey revealed predoctoral student exposure to prosthodontists was high, and exposure to advanced education in prosthodontics students was low. A survey of internal school programs that might have an impact on an increased interest in prosthodontics revealed the presence of a predoctoral mentoring program for prosthodontics in 36 (88%) of the institutions. The clinical curriculum included treatment of a variety of cases including complex cases as defined by a diagnostic classification system. The 2009 survey respondents reported an increase in the number of schools where prosthodontics is a separate entity or department. Conclusion: Deans reported an increased interest in prosthodontics in the 2009 survey. Open faculty positions in prosthodontics existed in the majority of dental schools, and most schools offered incentives to recruit faculty. The survey of deans found a very high level of exposure of dental students to full‐time prosthodontists and a very low exposure level to students enrolled in advanced education in prosthodontics. The establishment of mentoring programs in prosthodontics was reported by most deans, and the predoctoral curriculum included treating complex cases. Most deans stated that dual‐specialty training in prosthodontics and periodontics would be beneficial. The 2009 survey reported an increase in the number of departments of prosthodontics in US schools.     

Retrospective Analysis of Dental Implants Placed and Restored by Advanced Prosthodontic Residents

Purpose : The purposes of this retrospective clinical review were to: (1) describe the demographics of implant patients, types of implant treatment and implant‐supported prostheses in an Advanced Education in Prosthodontic Program, (2) evaluate the survival rate of dental implants placed by prosthodontic residents from 2006 to 2008, and (3) analyze the relationship between resident year of training and implant survival rate. Material and Methods : All patients who received dental implants placed by prosthodontic residents from January 2006 to October of 2008 in the Advanced Prosthodontic Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry were selected for this study. Age, gender, implant diameter, length, implant locations, surgical and restorative detail, and year of prosthodontic residency training were collected and analyzed. Life‐table and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were performed based on implants overall, locations, year of training, and use of a computer‐generated surgical guide. A Logrank statistic was performed between implant survival and year of prosthodontic residency training, location, and use of computer‐generated surgical guide (α= 0.05). Results : Three hundred and six implants were placed, and of these, seven failed. Life‐table and Kaplan–Meier analyses computed a cumulative survival rate (CSR) of 97% for overall implants and implants placed with a computer‐generated surgical guide. No statistical difference was found in implant survival rates as a function of year of training (P= 0.85). Conclusion : Dental implants placed by prosthodontic residents had a CSR comparable to previously published studies by other specialties. The year of prosthodontic residency training and implant failure rate did not have any significant relationship.     

Prosthodontic and Surgical Management of a Completely Edentulous Patient with a Severe Class III Skeletal Maxillomandibular Relationship: A Clinical Report

This article describes a multidisciplinary approach combining surgical and prosthodontic treatment of a completely edentulous patient who presented with a severe skeletal class III relationship and was diagnosed as American College of Prosthodontists Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index (ACP PDI) class IV. The use of a complete denture serving as diagnostic tool, surgical guide, and definitive restoration is presented. Computer‐aided surgical simulation was used to achieve an accurate diagnostic and surgical plan. Maxillary Lefort class I and mandibular sagittal split osteotomy surgical treatment was performed to correct arch discrepancy. The surgical procedure demonstrated a clinically acceptable maxillomandibular relationship and stability. The patient was satisfied with the esthetics and demonstrated improved oral function following prosthesis insertion.