Removable Partial Denture Design Analysis of Academic and Nonacademic Sectors

Objectives: the purpose of this research work is to analyze and compare the designs performed by the students in the faculty of dentistry to designs generated by selected dental practitioners from private and public sectors in relation to Bioprotective principles of designing. Methods: the data were collected from 84 designs performed by selected practitioners who welcomed the contribution to the study, in addition to 170 designs performed under the supervision of lecturers with variable teaching experience and education backgrounds. Ten fundamental designing criteria were used to assess and compare the two groups of RPD designs. They were the following; gingival protection, rest location, rest number, direct retainer appropriate use, indirect retainer use as indicated in free end and long edentulous bounded saddle, frame shape symmetry, use of surveyor, measuring and locating the undercut areas on the abutment, major connector form and suitable indication, and finally the use of prepared guiding plane/planes. Results: the number of the used criteria compared to the unused criteria was variable but generally below acceptable average limit. The properly used component was the major connector type. On the other hand, the collected designs from the faculty folders showed higher application of the bioprotective criteria when compared to other group designs. Conclusions: the following can be withdrawn from this study; the designs of RPD performed by the public practitioners reflected the need for continuous education to enhance the practice and to update the knowledge in designing and management of partially edentulous patients. The results should offer complete conception of the situation regarding the teaching methodology and how to enhance and update the scientific knowledge outcome of the practitioners in other sectors. In addition, more efforts should be directed to include evidence-based RPD in teaching and preventive-protective RPD concept of designing for undergraduate students.