PROSTHODONTICS - American College of Prosthodontists

The American College of Prosthodontists11. Identify the principal health services provided to the public by individuals in this area ofpractice and whether this has changed in the past ten years. If this has changed, what has beenthe impact on profession and public?Prosthodontists replace missing teeth and the structures that support them.Prosthodontists are further responsible for prevention and early diagnosis of infectious diseasesof teeth (caries and periodontitis), oral cancer and traumatic loss of teeth and orofacialstructures. Prosthodontists are expert diagnosticians and based upon data collected by history,examination, radiographs and medical consultation, prosthodontists offer fixed or removableprostheses to meet treatment goals. The scope of care involves tooth replacement, estheticenhancement and functional management. This ranges from single tooth to full mouth tomaxillofacial rehabilitation. Prosthodontists are particularly expert in the treatment ofedentulism. It is important to note that the basis of therapy on diagnostic criteria has beenaffirmed by the ACP support of the Prosthodontic Diagnostic Indices for Complete and PartialEdentulous and Dentate patients.The scope of services provided by prosthodontists has remained similar during the pastten years but the frequency of certain services has shifted during that timeframe. Based onreports by Nash and Pfeifer (Nash and Pfeifer, 2006, 2007), of surveys of prosthodontists in theUS, the six procedures requiring the largest percentage of prosthodontist time (89% in 2001 and91% in 2004) include fixed prosthodontics, implant services, complete dentures, operative care,diagnosis, and partial dentures, Figure 9. Increased patient demand for cosmetic services andfor implant services is reflected in greater education and exposure to these procedures inprosthodontic practices and training programs. The increased demand for referral basedservices in the area of maxillofacial prosthodontics, temporomandibular disorders and sleepapnea have also impacted prosthodontic practices.Figure 9.Prosthodontics - 222010 CDEL Re-recognition of the Specialty Report 22 of 279