A survey of the teaching of partial denture construction in dental schools in the United Kingdom.

Previously reported work has suggested that there is a disparity between what is taught to undergraduates regarding the design and construction of metal-based partial dentures and what is done by the practising dentist. A survey of the eighteen dental schools in the United Kingdom (seventeen undergraduate and one postgraduate) was carried out by means of a one postgraduate) was out by means of a postal questionnaire. The purpose of this was to elucidate what is taught concerning the design and construction of partial dentures. A one hundred per cent response was achieved.The results provide evidence that much common ground exists in the teaching of different schools, and comparison with previously reported work supports the hypothesis that there is a divergence between teaching and practice.