A summary of the factors involved in the prescription survey design has been provided by McCracken. 2 “... The clasp-type partial denture ... has proved its merit and justifies its continued use.... There are few contraindications for use of the clasp partial denture when properly designed. Practically all of the objections to the clasp partial denture can be disposed of by pointing to deficiencies in its design and fabrication. These can be listed as follows: 1. Inadequate diagnosis and treatment planning. 2. Failure to use the surveyor during diagnosis and treatment planning. 3. Inadequate mouth preparations, usually due to insufficient planning of the design of the partial denture. 4. Failure to provide the technician with a specific design and the necessary information for following out this design. 5. Failure of the technician to follow the design and instructions outlined... 6. Incorrect use of clasp designs... 7. Failure to provide for adequate tissue support for free-end denture bases.” “A partial denture which is so designed and fabricated that it avoids the errors and deficiencies listed above is one that proves the clasp-type partial denture can be made functional, esthetically pleasing, and long lasting, without damage to the supporting structures. The proof of the merit of the clasp partial denture lies in the knowledge that (1) it permits partial denture service for the largest number of patients, as the need for this service increases with advances in other phases of dentistry ...; (2) it provides dentures that are comfortable and efficient over a long period of time, with evidence of adequate support and maintenance of occlusal contact relations; (3) there is evidence of healthy abutments, which are free of caries and periodontal disease; ...; “Partial dentures thus made contribute to a concept of prosthetic dentistry which has as its goal the preservation of as many teeth as possible, the partial restoration of broken dental arches, and an ultimate elimination of the need for complete dentures.” If major emphasis were placed upon the health of the supporting structures of the teeth, the restorative procedures of operative dentistry, crown and bridge prosthesis, and partial denture prosthesis would take on new significance. They would not be mechanical; they would be preventive. “‘Mouth preparation’ is a term intended to cover all types of changes effected in the teeth or foundation ridges which may be deemed necessary to accomplish a better partial denture result.” 3 Perhaps the most frequent reason for a less than satisfactory result is that too little has been done at this stage of the procedure. Certainly, in many instances, difficulties are encountered later which easily could have been avoided. How frequently the end result of a short cut policy is that both the prosthesis and the remaining teeth are lost at an early date. This seems to be then a very false economy, as well as exceedingly poor health service.