The Private Practice of Prosthodontists: Current and Future Conditions of Practice in the United States (Part 2)

Abstract

Increasing demand for services from prosthodontists is supported by an increasing US population size and a growing population of elderly. Efforts to grow the number of private practicing prosthodontists will have to consider several concerns including residency program enrollments, undergraduate exposure to prosthodontics, and the overall economic returns expected from engaging in the private practice of prosthodontics. Choosing a career as a private practicing prosthodontist is a timely consideration and complimented by expected increases in demand for care and favorable financial returns to practice.

Thoughts on the Economy, Academic Dentistry, and the Specialty of Prosthodontics

“…In recent conversations with several Graduate Prosthodontics Program directors, the applicant pool for the class entering in 2009 looks outstanding! And, given the great publicity we've received over the past few years from Forbes Magazine , initially ranking Prosthodontists sixth in highest‐paying jobs (the third highest in dentistry behind Orthodontists and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons), and ranking us first in “Well‐paying Rare Jobs,” along with the information provided by Kent Nash and David Pfeifer (immediate Past‐president of the College) on the return on investment for careers in Prosthodontics, 1–4 the predoctoral students have begun to figure it out. And, if you haven't actually read the Nash and Pfeifer articles, download them, read them, and pass them along to a first or second year dental student!…”

Indirect restorative systems—A narrative review

“…Prosthodontists have treated more than 1 million patients per year in the United States, with conventional and implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (FDP) comprising approximately 50% of all treatments performed in dental offices 1 . Such prosthodontic procedures have a projection to increase due to the potential rise in the population, especially of elderly individuals 2 . However, oral rehabilitation is a complex and meticulous specialty that encompasses the treatment of defective/missing single or multiple teeth through tooth or implant supported reconstructions, requiring a comprehensive knowledge of oral biology and physiology, biomaterials and biomechanics, as well as training of dentists, laboratory technicians, and related staff 3 …”

“…1 Such prosthodontic procedures have a projection to increase due to the potential rise in the population, especially of elderly individuals. 2 However, oral rehabilitation is a complex and meticulous specialty that encompasses the treatment of defective/missing single or multiple teeth through tooth or implant supported reconstructions, requiring a comprehensive knowledge of oral biology and physiology, biomaterials and biomechanics, as well as training of dentists, laboratory technicians, and related staff. 3 The rapid advance in computer-aided design/ computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) by either subtractive or additive (3D printing) technologies have revolutionized oral rehabilitation field not only by providing a time-efficient fabrication process but also by resulting in high accuracy and adaptation of protheses and/or prosthetic components relative to conventional hand-layering techniques, which are prone to a greater number of interferences as a result of many laboratory steps and reliance on manual skills.…”

A Young Faculty Member's Perspective of Academic Prosthodontics

“…The baby‐boomers are now retiring, and they are spending their retirement money on their teeth! On average, a private prosthodontist makes approximately $250,000 a year 7 . A general dentist makes a yearly salary of just under $180,000 8 .…”