Current Status and Future Direction of the Prosthodontic Specialty In India

Prosthodontics deals with the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function & ease of use, cosmetic appearance, and dental health of patients with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues. As the prosthodontists possess great skills in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, temporomandibular disorders, patients visit them for treating and handling dental and facial problems involving restoring missing tooth and jaw structures.
Prosthodontists possess advanced training in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating complex dental conditions as well as restoring optimum function with a special understanding of the dynamics of a smile. Prosthodontic Dentistry in India is a deep & broad discipline that is continuously evolving on the basis of the rapid advancements in dental biomaterials science, clinical and laboratory techniques and technologies, education & research, as well as interdisciplinary developments.

Current Scenario For Prosthodontics In India:

Although prosthodontists are officially recognized in India as a discipline, yet the common man lacks awareness and fails to recognize the need to consult such professionals. Most general dentists continue to perform the dental prosthesis work themselves and referral to prosthodontists is extremely rare though the latter may visit for consultation and treatment. A person with a basic bachelors degree, BDS, from a college/university recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI) can become part of the profession as s/he automatically can gain admission into a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in prosthodontics at any college/university recognized by DCI.
Prosthodontics is ranked a low fifth as an option for specialization among the graduates in a survey. The discipline is, however, evolving as while the objective of prosthodontic care earlier was an improvement of oral function and enhancing of aesthetics, today uplifting of self-esteem is sought by enrichment of the quality of life. Hence the focus is on the resolution of problems caused by disturbances of dental functions like occlusion, chewing, swallowing, and appearance.

Future Trends In Prosthodontics In India

Modern technologies have arrived and are being applied to the field of Prosthodontics. Many Dental Courses In Delhi are rapidly familiarizing students through diploma courses after BDS for new technologies like

  1. CAD/CAM,
  2. Robotics
  3. Imaging:- In office volumetric radiography,Interactive computer software-s implant etc;
    Clinical Dentistry – Intraoral impressions, Cast duplication, Customized dental implants, abutments, and restorations, Guided implant surgery
  4. Occlusion Analysis
  5. Lasers-soft and hard tissue

Paramedical courses and short-term courses in Delhi at Dental Academy in Delhi are also acquainting students with new implant designs and altered surface properties being rapidly developed, including bio-active surfaces and additives, as well as electrical and electromagnetic treatments. These courses strive to impart extra edge and build career opportunities for Dentists by enabling exposure to New Materials, Advanced Technology, and Latest Equipment. These add enormous value as the specially designed dental courses are both Theoretical and Practical Knowledge.

How To Become A Dentist/ Prosthodontist

I came across a question on Yahoo! Answers the other day, from apparently a school student/ pupil, enquiring about the length of education one requires in order to become a ‘Prosthodontist’.

(A Prosthodontist is a dentist specializing in restoration and replacement of teeth. Patients visit them for dentures, dental implants, dental caps/ dental crowns and dental bridges.) Since the blog of the best dentist in Delhi, Dr. Deepak Bhutani (Oral & Maxillofacial Prosthodontist and Implantologist), who also provides dental courses in Delhi to improve your working skills & boost confidence, is a resource on all things dental education, I decided to address the query here.

Please note, this blog post is in context to the Indian education system.
To start, a career in dentistry requires school graduation with a medical sciences background. For CBSE students, this means, physics, chemistry, biology, and English. The 5th subject is Math but can be substituted with an option like Physical Education, or Informatics Practices. (IP) Post class 12th, one needs to apply for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). It is a 5-year course, including a 1-year rotary internship.

Then, in order to become a Prosthodontist, the BDS graduate can pursue Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge. Likewise, if one wants to be an Endodontist (Endodontists are specialists in treating dental pulp. Patients usually see these experts for root canal therapy.), MDS in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics is to be chosen.