Fixed prosthodontics clinical unit completions in an undergraduate curriculum: A 10‐year retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction Providing undergraduate dental students with a range of clinical experiences in fixed prosthodontics procedures is an important component of dental education. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the types of laboratory‐fabricated fixed prosthodontics clinical units completed by undergraduate students over 10 consecutive years and determine any significant trends. Materials and Methods The fixed prosthodontics treatment registers from 2012 to 2021 were reviewed and the different types of completed fixed prosthodontics units and total number of fixed prosthodontics units were recorded for each year. Completed units were categorised according to the type of restoration and expressed in whole numbers and as a percentage of the total number of units completed in each year. The data were presented in table and graph form. Mann‐Kendall tests were performed to statistically analyse for trends in the different restoration types. Results Throughout all study years, porcelain bonded to metal (PBM) crowns (48.25%, range 35.70%–59.91%) were the most frequently completed fixed prosthodontics unit followed by full gold crowns (FGC) (20.84%, range 14.89%–27.30%) and all‐ceramic crowns (ACC) (12.70%, range 3.67%–24.41%). Collectively, PBM, FGC and ACC comprised 81.80% of all completed fixed prosthodontics units. There were observed trends of increased use of all types of all‐ceramic containing restorations, all types of all‐gold containing restorations, all types of partial coverage restorations and specifically ceramic onlays and gold onlays. There were observed trends of reduced use of cast gold post‐cores and all types of bridges. Conclusion PBM crowns were the mainstay laboratory‐fabricated fixed prosthodontic unit completed over 10 years of undergraduate student fixed prosthodontics clinical practice.

An 8‐year retrospective study of fixed prosthodontics clinical unit completions in a postgraduate prosthodontics program

“…A comparison to the types of laboratory fabricated fixed prosthodontics clinical units completed by undergraduate students at the same institution 10 revealed some similar findings with PBM's representing the dominant unit. Collectively, PBM, ACC and FGC's represented 70.88% (present postgraduate study) and 81.80% (undergraduate study) of all fixed prosthodontics units completed.…”

“…Unit completions can be used as one measure of student progress 10 . Postgraduate prosthodontics registrars maintain a logbook that chronicles unit completions using the accepted schedule describing the different units 11 .…”

“…Unit completions can be used as one measure of student progress. 10 Postgraduate prosthodontics registrars maintain a logbook that chronicles unit completions using the accepted schedule describing the different units. 11 There is no limit on the scope of treatment and generally in this program more complex fixed prosthodontics treatment is completed for patients.…”

CODA standard 2–24 h—“replacement of teeth” dilemma: Unintended consequences and proposed solutions

“…Increased use of implants and a concomitant decrease in FPD utilization also was quantified when insurance and other payors claims were analyzed 8 . As a result, dental educational programs currently experience significant use reduction in availability of FPDs 15 . This market constraint is compounded when considering that many dental programs serve as a safety net in the community and dental students treat a lower income patient population tier.…”

“…8 As a result, dental educational programs currently experience significant use reduction in availability of FPDs. 15 This market constraint is compounded when considering that many dental programs serve as a safety net in the community and dental students treat a lower income patient population tier. These patients' choices are frequently influenced by insurance coverage and socioeconomic determinants that differ by region and state in the US.…”