Abstract

TSĭTA, KMP  and  OWEN, CP. Analysis of the need for, and scope of training in, maxillo-facial prosthodontics in the South African dental technology programme. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2017, vol.72, n.1, pp.16-21. ISSN 0375-1562.

PURPOSE: To investigate the need for additional training for dental technologists in the field of maxillo-facial prosthodontics (MFP), and to try to seek consensus on the scope of that training. METHOD: There were four phases: Phase 1 investigated current curricula; Phase 2, completion of questionnaires by students, qualified dental technicians and technologists, and clinicians; Phase 3, interviews with the Heads of the three Universities of Technology and the Heads of the department responsible for MFP at the four Dental Schools; and Phase 4, a Delphi survey amongst technicians and clinicians using questions derived from the previous phases. RESULTS: There was widespread agreement that the current dental technology curriculum did not cover sufficient aspects of MFP to provide graduates with the required skills, and that a postgraduate course should be initiated. However, technicians agreed whilst clinicians were against, whether a maxillo-facial technologist should be permitted to work with patients and carry out clinical procedures. There was general consensus that a one-year full-time course was required. CONCLUSIONS: A postgraduate course should be instituted to improve the training of dental technologists in MFP. The South African Dental Technicians' Council should initiate workshops to determine the curriculum, and the regulation of the maxillo-facial technologist.

Keywords : maxillo-facial prosthodontics; dental technologist; scope of practice; education and training; postgraduate course.

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