Comparing Educational Pathways for Denturists to Become Maxillofacial Prosthetic Specialists in the US and the UK

Authors

Minseok Kim, University of the PacificFollow

Abstract

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.

Recommended Citation

Kim, Minseok (2026) "Comparing Educational Pathways for Denturists to Become Maxillofacial Prosthetic Specialists in the US and the UK," Oral Health: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56031/3066-490X.1006
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/oral-health/vol2/iss1/2