Denturist

Overview
A Dental prosthetist or Denturist is a form of dental technician who constructs removable oral prosthesis (dentures) direct to the patient. They are also known as registered clinical dental technicians in some countries. The major difference from a dental technician is that dental prosthetists do not typically work under the instruction of a dentist. Their duties are typically restricted to making just removable prosthesis, and referral to a dentist for other forms of dental work may be required.

They should not be confused with prosthodontists, who are qualified specialist dentists for making fixed or removable appliances for patients.

Traditional duties
According to the National Denturist Association website, Denturists can perform the follow functions:

1. Perform a complete visual/digital oral examination and evaluation of the patient. This includes obtaining a complete medical and dental history of the patient.

2. Makes impressions, makes necessary jaw relation records, selects the artificial teeth, designs the dentures.

3. Fabricate and insert the dentures in the mouths of patients.

4. Performs any adjunctive services such as Repair or Relines or Adjustments of removable dentures.

5. Supervises auxiliary personnel in the performance of their delegated duties.

Training
In order to become licensed as a Denturist an individual must graduate from an accredited course, usually two to three years in length, in addition to having at least four years experience and background in dental technology in most states and some provinces.

Denturism
Denturism is defined as the practice by Denturists of making artificial dentures and fitting them to patients.

Denturism is a recognized profession throughout the world, in which a specialized dental practitioner, a Denturist, provides dentures and dental appliances directly to the public without the supervision of a Dentist.

The International Federation of Denturistsconsists of national organizations of Denturism from around the world who are interested in furthering the profession, and providing the world's edentulous population with affordable, professional denture care.

Denturism is legislated and practiced in six U.S. states, Maine, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Colorado. It is illegal in other states, including Florida.

According to the College of Denturists of Ontario,Denturism has been a regulated profession in the Canadian province since 1973. Currently eight of the ten Canadian provinces recognize the profession.

More recently the United Kingdom has legislated the profession. In the U.K. Denturists are termed “Clinical Dental Technicians”. According to the Clinical Dental Technician’s Association,” Professional Clinical Dental Technicians are members of the Dental Health Care Team specifically trained and educated in the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a removable appliance service directly to the community. Equipped with solid technical training as a Dental Technician and post-technician training in sciences, clinical skills, and interpersonal skills, the Clinical Dental Technician can design, create, construct and modify (repair and rebase) a removable appliance to insure optimal fit, maximum comfort and general well-being of patients. These skills enable the Clinical Dental Technician, whilst remaining a member of the Dental Health Care Team to work independently of other Dental Health Care providers.”

Australia is another country where the profession of Denturism is accepted and regulated. In Australia a Denturist is referred to as a Dental Prosthetist.The Australian Dental Prosthetists Associationis the national organization in Australia.

Distinguishing from dental technicians
A licensed Denturist is not only a Dental technician, although most Denturists were previously Dental technicians who sought the necessary further education in Denturism. This previous training and experience gives Denturists a unique advantage in that they become extremely familiar with cases of edentulism,oral anatomy and landmarks since that is their sole work as Dental Technologists.

Distinguishing from other dental professionals
According to the International Federation of Denturists,"University-trained dentists perform the full range of services related to the patient dental health care and well being (assessment, diagnosis, treatment etc.). The scope of practice for Denturists includes clinical work, but clearly delineates and draws distinctions between adjustment and/or alteration to natural teeth/tissues of the mouth, and appliances. Denturists work with constructed or prosthetic (artificial replacement) devices only. Dental technicians, by contrast, work in laboratories and are trained to make appliances for dentists. They have neither the technical training nor the legislated mandate to work directly with patients."