SHORTENED DENTAL ARCH THERAPY - VIEWS OF CONSULTANTS IN RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

This paper reports the results of a study on the attitudes of the cons ultants in restorative dentistry (CRD) in the UK towards shortened den tal arch therapy (SDAT). Data were collected by means of questionnaire , with a response of 67% achieved. The results indicate that 95% (n = 87) of the 91 participants in the study were of the opinion that SDA h as a place in contemporary clinical practice. Eighty (88%) of the part icipants reported having prescribed SDA therapy during the last 5 year s, the number of these patients requiring >5 units of crown and bridge work being typically less than 25%. Forty-one (45%) of the participant s reported patients being considered for SDAT expressing reservations about the outcome of their treatment, although around 75 (82%) of the participants indicated that SDAT was satisfactory in terms of oral fun ction, comfort and well being. Experience of having to extend shortene d dental arches following SDAT was limited to 34 (37%) of the particip ants. It is concluded that SDA is widely accepted but not widely pract iced by CRDs in the UK and that, in patients satisfying existing crite ria, the outcome of SDAT may be found to be acceptable in approximatel y 82% of cases.