Chapter 9: Dental Care
Brandon Censon MPH, CPH, RRT-NPS, CPFT, CPT
A denturist is a licensed dental specialist who makes, fits, and repairs complete and partial dentures. Denturists can take impressions of a patients’ gums and remaining teeth, these impressions then allow for them to make and customize dentures for the patient. Once the dentures are made, the denturists can assess the patient to ensure that the dentures are comfortable and fit appropriately. It is important to note that denturists are not dentists, in the sense that they do not evaluate a patients’ gums, teeth, or other parts of the mouth. Rather, they specialize in denture services, which include fabricating dentures, fitting, patient aftercare, and care for the dentures, which may also include repairing them. An important trait that a denturist should have is being detail oriented, this is an essential trait to have when taking the impressions of the teeth, molding the muscles of the mouth, and obtaining the dimensions from the patient’s mouth. Denturists will also need to have good communication skills. This is important to ensure that they are meeting or exceeding the patient’s expectations and / or goals for their new smile.
In the United States, denturists practice under a few different titles, including clinical dental technician and dental prosthetist. You may be asking yourself what skills do denturists use as part of their day to day function? Denturists are skilled in the planning of denture treatment, the design of the denture, and fitting of complete, partial, and implant-supported and retained dentures. A denturist is often engaged in the dental healthcare team when a patient is looking to restore some or all of their teeth, through the use of dental prosthetics.
Academic Requirements and Career Pathway
The academic requirements for denturists vary greatly across the United States, as this profession is regulated at the state level. Some states require that an individual obtain an associates degree in denture technology. Individuals who seek licensure as a denturist in the state of Washington, must complete formal training with a course major of denturist of at least 2-years. Upon completion of the denturist training, they must successfully challenge written and clinical examinations by the board of denturists. The career pathway for denturists may include pursuing leadership and educational roles in the profession. Advancement into these roles may require advanced degrees and / or experience in a variety of settings.
Attributions
- Figure 9.7: Making dentures by jilly andi is released under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
A removable dental appliance used to replace teeth. A complete denture will replace all of the upper teeth and / or all the lower teeth.
Refers to any device or appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth.