A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON PROSTHODONTICS AS A DENTAL SPECIALTY IN PAKISTAN

Introduction: Over the past two decades, provision of dental services has massively evolved in Pakistan. Aims and objectives: The basic aim of the study is to analyse the prosthodontics as a Dental Specialty in Pakistan and its future implementations. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Prosthodontics Department, Nishtar Institute of Dentistry, Multan during January 2019 to August 2019. Along with practitioner of various specialties, GDPs included in the study were graduate dentists and were currently employed, owning or working in private practice, must have two years of experience after basic dental qualification and also have a valid dental council (PMDC) practicing license. The data was collected through a questionnaire. Results: Out of the 500 surveys distributed, 150 questionnaires from practicing dentist were considered eligible for study. The response rate was 30 percent. Table 1 displays the distribution of the various specialties in dentistry represented by the respondents. Among the total respondents, 15.5% (n = 23) of participants belonged to teaching hospitals only and 84.6% (n = 127) practiced at both places. Conclusion: It is concluded that the provision of Implant supported restorations is showing a gradual increase.  The practice patterns and trends which were revealed in the current survey surely has potential implications for private dental practitioners, the patients seeking prosthodontic treatment, curriculum of dental schoolsand dental continuing education programs.