Current trends in removable partial denture teaching in British dental schools

Aim: To investigate current teaching of removable partial denture construction in British dental schools. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was sent by email to each of the 15 UK dental schools. Results: Replies were received from the 12 long established schools, although one declined to participate. The more recently established schools did not respond. All schools have a pre-clinical/technical course, which either precedes or runs in parallel with the early part of the students' partial denture experience, but students complete very little, if any technical work for their clinical cases. The majority of teaching takes place in multidisciplinary teaching clinics in years 2-5 although the majority of schools concentrate teaching of the basics early in the programme. Fewer cases appear to be treated than previously reported, especially cases requiring removable partial dentures with cobalt chromium frameworks. Students may only treat one such case, the remainder of dentures being constructed of acrylic resin. Lack of experience treating cases requiring a combination of complete and removable partial dentures was a concern. Conclusion: Participating schools appear to meet the General Dental Council's requirements. The amount of clinical work undertaken by students may have decreased slightly. There has been a greater decrease in the technical component.