Denturist

A denturist in the United States and Canada, clinical dental technologist in the United Kingdom or a dental prosthetist in Australia, is a member of the oral health care team and role as primary oral health care provider who provides an oral health examination, planning treatment, takes impressions of the surrounding oral tissues, constructs and delivers removable oral prosthesis treatment (including dentures and partial dentures) directly to the patient.DiplomaDiploma A denturist in the United States and Canada, clinical dental technologist in the United Kingdom or a dental prosthetist in Australia, is a member of the oral health care team and role as primary oral health care provider who provides an oral health examination, planning treatment, takes impressions of the surrounding oral tissues, constructs and delivers removable oral prosthesis treatment (including dentures and partial dentures) directly to the patient. Denturism is defined as the practice by denturists of examining oral health, planning treatment, making artificial dentures including other removable oral appliances and fitting them to patients. It is a recognized profession throughout the world and currently utilized in many countries including Australia, New zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Canada. In the United States, denturism is only legislated and practiced in 7 states (Maine, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado). However, in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, all states, provinces and territories recognize the profession. The criteria and training to become a denturist vary by country and region, however after completion of required prerequisites generally the process takes 2-3 years and the qualification ranges from a Diploma to a Masters Degree. Due to the diversity in training, the scope of practice for a denturist can alternate between countries, however the general principle remains the same. Denturist curriculum contains courses such as, General biology, Micro biology, Human anatomy, Head and Neck anatomy, Dental anatomy, Physiolosy, Dental Materials, Dental technology theory, Infection prevention and control, Radiographic interpretation, Periodontology, Histology, Embryology, Nutrition, Psychology, Pathophysiology, Oral pathology, Pharmacology, Gerontology, Ethics, Removable and Fixed prosthetics, Implantology, Removable oral appliances, Clinical & Laboratory theory, Practice management, and etc. The program is competitive and selective. Prospective students are encouraged to complete and earn Dental Technology Degree prior to applying Denture Specialist Program. By acquiring Dental Technology knowledge prior to entering Denture Specialist Program would help students to follow course works with better understanding. Work experience from denturist clinic, denture laboratory and other dental field is plus to be succeed before and after graduation. Denturists are an important part of the dental team. They often work alongside general dentists, dental specialists and other members of a dental team in both private and public sectors of the oral health workforce.They can also work independently in their own clinic with patients providing appropriate management and treatment of dentures and other oral appliances. Denturists are well educated in clinical and technical knowledge of denture care, as well as completing many hours of practical skills in producing dentures. They ultimately receive more comprehensive study in oral prosthetics than any other health professional including the general dentist. Therefore, the collaborative role of denturists provides an important model of re-allocating dental services to alleviate stresses from the general dentists, reserving valuable time for restorative, cosmetic, hygiene, and emergency dental procedures. Denturists differ from both dental technicians and prosthodontists. Dental technicians are non-registered members of the dental team who support dental practitioners in the delivery of dental services. Prosthodontists are qualified dentists, who have specialized in making fixed or removable appliances for patients. The use of “false teeth” has prevailed throughout the course of history. Archaeological evidence dating back to 1500 B.C. was found in Egypt. The Egyptians would use real teeth threaded with a gold wire to create a false set of teeth. In northern Italy 700 B.C., the Etruscans made dentures out of animal teeth. Hence the world of dental prosthodontics began to take shape. Despite being made of low quality material and having short life spans, dentures were relatively popular. The first complete set of dentures is attributed to 16th century Japan. They were known as the Japanese box and are quite similar in shape to modern day dentures.