Education in maxillofacial prosthetics

Abstract

The introduction of maxillofacial prosthetics to the dental student requires qualified teachers. Advanced programs should be developed for educating the necessary teachers and specialists. One-year postgraduate programs and straight internship programs should be affiliated and coordinated with other advanced programs or expanded into two- or three-year programs. If this cannot be accomplished, such one-year programs should be dissolved. Whenever possible, the maxillofacial educational program should be distributed over three years. Such programs should incorporate a comprehensive program in prosthodontics. Guidelines for such programs should be developed by the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics. An advanced prosthodontic program should be designed to educate dentists in depth in the most recent preventive and treatment measures in maxillofacial prosthetics. 8 Maxillofacial prosthetics is a combination of the biologic, physiologic, social, and clinical disciplines, and their application to special patient care. It is essential for the student to have a thorough understanding, not only of his own profession and specialty, but also of the interrelationship of the general medical and social problems affecting his patients. An advanced program in maxillofacial prosthetics should emphasize a combination of reasoning powers, good judgment, and technical skill in the treatment of the special type of patient. 9