Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the attitude and knowledge of an intern, general dentist and specialist prosthodontist in providing service of an RPD to the patient. And if there are flaws, what changes should be made in the undergraduate curriculum so that the newly graduating student and the practicing dentist can benefit.
Methodology: Sample size was calculated by using online sample size calculator formula.
Written consent was taken from the participants before the questionnaire, those willing to participate in the study were included in the study others unwilling were excluded.
The questionnaire comprised of questions about the participants attitude knowledgeabout designing an RPD and communication with the dental laboratory.
Statistical Analyses Data were entered using and analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Mean and standard deviations were calculated for all continuous variables while frequencies and percentages were calculated for all categorical variables.
Results: Of the total 573 study participants, the mean age of were 35.45±12.54 years. There was a female predominance in the study subject, (73% female’s vs. 27% males). Almost half (42%) of the study participants provided RPD services to partially edentulous patients once to twice a month. Regarding the attitude of study participants on who should be responsible for designing the RPD, half (51.3%) responded that dentist should be responsible. Only 81 (14%) of the study participants were fully aware of how to transfer the need of tooth modification in the patients’ mouth.
Conclusion: Majority of the practitioners had insufficient knowledge and inadequate attitudes and practices regarding RPD.

Key words: removable partial denture, RPD, prosthodontics, dental interns