Wolfaardt J F
Division of Removable Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
J Oral Rehabil. 1992 Jan;19(1):1-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2842.1992.tb01585.x.
Maxillofacial prosthetics is a recognized subspecialty of prosthodontics. In considering the international status of maxillofacial prosthetics it is found that this unique and superspecialized discipline has a varied implementation both in terms of educational structures employed and clinical services provided. There is a dirth of available literature on education in maxillofacial prosthetics. The available literature is reviewed and the conclusion drawn is that very little undergraduate or postgraduate curriculum time is devoted to maxillofacial prosthetics in prosthodontic curricula. This, it is felt, adds to the ignorance of this important aspect of dentistry. Educational guidelines are reviewed and from this it is evident that the North American model of prosthodontic education and training differs greatly from the British one. This dichotomy appears to have impacted on prosthodontic training in other countries. Maxillofacial prosthetics enjoys special status in the United States but does not seem to be an important aspect of training in the British model. Indeed there is little evidence that maxillofacial prosthetics is an important focus of the British Consultant in Restorative Dentistry. Given the availability of the superb skills of the British trained maxillofacial prosthetic technicians and the hospital based restorative services, it is remarkable that the Restorative Consultants have not exercised their natural opportunity to lead internationally in both clinical and research areas, in this important discipline of dentistry. This must undoubtably pose a challenge for the British dental profession as a whole in the future.
颌面修复学是口腔修复学中一个公认的亚专业。在考量颌面修复学的国际地位时发现，这一独特且高度专业化的学科在采用的教育结构和提供的临床服务方面有着不同的实施情况。关于颌面修复学教育的现有文献匮乏。对现有文献进行了综述，得出的结论是，在口腔修复学课程中，本科或研究生课程用于颌面修复学的时间很少。人们认为，这加剧了对牙科这一重要方面的忽视。对教育指南进行了综述，从中可以明显看出，北美口腔修复学教育和培训模式与英国模式有很大不同。这种二分法似乎对其他国家的口腔修复学培训产生了影响。颌面修复学在美国享有特殊地位，但在英国模式中似乎并不是培训的重要方面。事实上，几乎没有证据表明颌面修复学是英国修复牙科顾问的一个重要关注点。鉴于英国培养的颌面修复技术人员具备高超技能以及有医院提供的修复服务，令人惊讶的是，修复牙科顾问们没有利用这一自然机会在牙科这一重要学科的临床和研究领域引领国际潮流。毫无疑问，这在未来必然会给整个英国牙科行业带来挑战。
