Comparing Educational Pathways for Denturists to Become Maxillofacial Prosthetic Specialists in the US and the UK
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In the absence of formal training, licensure, and professionalism, this scientific literature review will seek to include denturists in the American maxillofacial prosthetics industry. Denturists are oral health professionals who perform oral examination, design, manufacture, and place removable oral prostheses. In other regions of the world, they are also known as clinical dental technologists and dental prosthetists. This practice is not widespread in the US. The review can also be assessed on the model mediated by PRISMA, which is concentrated on the experiences of international education in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where the concentration further revolves around postgraduate studies and legislation. Other themes that were found in the review included the curriculum structure, transdisciplinary collaboration, and digital technology. The UK model is certified as digital-ready and best practices, whereas the US model is an obsolete and haphazard approach. These findings indicated that there was no consistency in clinical training and competency in the US and that both academic and practice training were required to fill the gap. Interdisciplinary collaboration, especially with the IT (Informatics Technology) specialists, surgeons, plastic surgeons, ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists, oncologists, and prosthodontists, among other allied health practitioners, will make the integration of new technologies, including AI (artificial intelligence)-aided modeling and virtual reality, possible.
Source: Oral Health
Author: Minseok Kim
Institution: University of the Pacific
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: University of the Pacific
OpenAlex ID: W7126013398
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