Defining predoctoral prosthodontic curriculum: a workshop sponsored by the American College of Prosthodontists and the prosthodontic forum.

Abstract

Prosthodontic educators participated in a workshop held at The American College of Prosthodontists annual session in Kansas City, MO, in October 1996. Their goal was to review elements of the predoctoral prosthodontic curriculum to establish a consensus on the levels of expected skill and knowledge. Skill components were designated at the competency and exposure levels, while knowledge components were designated at the understanding and familiarity levels. The workshop recommendations were distributed to American and Canadian dental schools and the communities of interest for comments in January 1997. The workshop recommendations were reviewed and finalized at the American Association of Dental Schools annual meeting in Orlando, FL, in March 1997. The recommendations may be used by dental educators to prioritize curricular elements in relation to limited time dedicated to the prosthodontic curriculum. Outcomes assessment methods will be needed to ensure competency in the new dentist.