Awareness Regarding Digitalization of Maxillofacial Prosthesis among Dental Students and Dental Practitioners in India?A Survey
Author(s): Harsh Kasabwala*, Deepak Nallaswamy and Subhabrata Maiti
Abstract
Background: Most maxillofacial prostheses are created from impressions taken with dental impression material. It is quite a long and tedious job additionally it requires a lot of technical skills. With the advent of CAD CAM, the fabrication and designing of maxillofacial prosthesis has become quite faster and efficient. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the awareness regarding digitalisation of maxillofacial prosthesis among the dental students and clinicians Methods: An online questionnaire was prepared and was sent to 200 dental students and 100 practitioners. A total of 171 responses were received. The questionnaire was designed in a way wherein the responses would reflect the amount of awareness the study population would have regarding digitalisation of maxillofacial prosthesis. Chi square test and Pearson correlation analysis were used Results: It was found that among the 171 dental professionals who participated in the survey 66% were postgraduate including staff while 34% were undergraduate clinicians. Among these participants 28% of the postgraduate population and 14% of undergraduate clinicians were aware of digitised maxillofacial prosthesis with barely 8% practicing it. Conclusions: There was a general lack of awareness regarding digitalization of maxillofacial prosthesis among all the groups. The undergraduates and postgraduates were comparatively more aware regarding the same. Routine seminars and workshops should be conducted for the students and clinicians wherein they are taught about the newest techniques and various methods to practice digital maxillofacial dentistry.