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Q&A
Dr Phil Smith, senior clinical lecturer and honorary consultant in restorative dentistry
• What attracted you to a career in prosthodontics? After qualifying I realised that what I
enjoyed most was being able to restore and replace missing teeth to improve patients’ lives. Throughout my years as a dentist I have been very fortunate to have worked with patients and colleagues who have kept me sufficiently motivated to rehabilitate people who require help to restore oral function and appearance. I came into dentistry wanting to make a positive difference to people’s lives and prosthodontics has allowed me to do this.
• What do you enjoy most about the job? It’s a great challenge to restore and rehabilitate patients who are having difficulties with eating, chewing and their dental appearance. Over time, although there have been tremendous advances in technology and treatment possibilities, the underlying principles of prosthodontics have remained the same, it’s just that nowadays we are able to reach our objectives in different ways. The most enjoyable part of the job is meeting such a range of individuals and being able to help them. Particularly rewarding for me is being involved in the treatment of cleft lip and palate. I can make a real difference to this group of patients.
• What do you find most challenging? Being unable to meet patient expectations. Despite the great advances in technology and clinical techniques, we have to work within realistically achievable parameters, and on occasion these can fall short of what patients would like us to achieve. It is also frustrating not being able to provide more complex prosthodontic treatment for some patients. This may be because of their inability to cooperate sufficiently or as a result of other limitations, for example, systemic disease.
assisting patients affected by loss of bone and/or soft tissues, those who have suffered facial trauma, or those with congenital oral defects. Many dentists who successfully complete specialist prosthodontic
training will work as private practitioners in specialist practice within a primary care environment. Those who achieve their three-year certification of completion of specialty training (CCST) may seek to work as a consultant in prosthodontics but this may require further experience and training. Once qualified, one way to keep professional skills and knowledge
up-to-date is by joining The British Society of Prosthodontics (BSSPD). It was founded 60 years ago and has a worldwide membership of around 500 clinicians. Membership offers reduced rates for conference attendance, a free subscription to the European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry as well as access to research prizes, bursaries and learning materials.
Sources • Curriculum for training in prosthodontics
• Career pathway information for restorative dentistry – Royal College of Surgeons of England –
tinyurl.com/oyjrtra
• The British Society of Prosthodontics –
www.bsspd.org
• Have you been surprised by any aspect of the job? I am always surprised by the adaptability, flexibility and ingenuity of human nature and prosthodontics allows you to experience this at first hand. These qualities apply to colleagues and patients I have encountered. When these coincide for the common good some amazing results, beyond what could have been predicted, are achievable.
• What personal attributes do you think are important in prosthodontics? Top of my list would be patience, closely followed by perseverance, and team working. Prosthodontics is a team game where science and art come together, although at an individual level much depends on practical skill and clinical/technical ability. It helps to lean towards being obsessive about what might be considered as fine technical details!
• What advice would you give to a trainee considering prosthodontics? It is important to make sure you have a sound base in general dentistry and that you get plenty of practise to develop your clinical skills. Make sure that you enjoy the practical aspects of dentistry and be flexible in your approach to patient management. Becoming involved with the BSSPD (British Society of Prosthodontics) would be a good idea as this long-established specialist society is relevant to anyone with an interest in prosthodontics. It has an annual meeting with keynote speakers in the field. It also makes awards and it has resources that are useful in supporting trainees. Finally, I would encourage all new dentists to be prepared to embrace change and to learn new skills throughout your practising career.
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