Survey of Current Predoctoral Removable Partial Denture Curriculum in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this survey was to determine removable partial denture (RPD) framework design concepts, new materials, and digital technology that are currently being taught in the predoctoral RPD curriculums in the U.S. dental schools. A questionnaire including RPD framework design concepts, materials, and digital technology was created on Qualtrics. The link to the questionnaire was distributed by email in May 2018 to U.S. dental schools. Thirty-nine of the sixty-six schools responded, yielding a response rate of 59%. Most schools are utilizing textbooks by McCracken and/or Stewart as their primary reference (90%). Only a few schools teach incisal rest (24%) and intra-coronal retainers (8%) in the clinic. The majority of schools teach three or less clasp assembly variations for distal extension RPD scenarios and utilize altered cast impression techniques only for selective patient scenarios. Half of schools currently utilize digital technology in their RPD curriculum. Although twenty-five schools (69%) indicated that implant-assisted RPD (IARPD) is being taught in the curriculum, only nineteen of them teach IARPDs in the clinic. Half of schools are utilizing non-metal clasp denture (NMCD) in their curriculum; most of these school provide this treatment as immediate/interim partials or long-term interim partials. Many U.S. dental schools are simplifying RPD design concepts and principles that are being taught. More schools are introducing new concepts and materials such as IARPD and NMCDs while incorporating digital technology in their predoctoral RPD curriculum.