
The Denturist Association of British Columbia Suite 312C-9801 King George Hwy, Surrey BC V3T-5H5 604-582-6823 www.denturist.bc.ca info@denturist.bc.ca	Partial Dentures, PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release; September 1, 2000 New Partial Denture Legislation Provides More Options for Health Care Consumers in BC Vancouver, B.C.-- The Denturist Association of BC is pleased to announce that Denturists will be able to offer BC residents more comprehensive service, better care and reduced costs in receiving partial denture services due to legislation recently passed by the BC government. A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing natural teeth. Consumers will now have more choices when making decisions concerning their oral health. Residents from other provinces have, for several years, been given the choice between receiving partial dentures from their Denturist or their Dentist. Yet in BC, up until this time, they have not. BC was the first province to receive legislation recognizing Denturists as qualified professionals, establishing stringent standards of training and education for denture services in 1958. However, legislation failed to keep pace with changing health care demands until now by not allowing Denturists to legally provide partial denture services to the public. Before the new legislation and bylaws were passed on June 8, 2000, consumers were able to have only their Dentist provide a partial denture, even though Denturists are as qualified and better equipped to construct and administer partial dentures. The Dentist would take an impression of the mouth and send it to a commercial dental lab where the partial denture would be created without the Dental Technician seeing the patient. Direct patient interaction is vital since an improperly fitted or infrequently worn appliance can cause damage to the gums and remaining teeth. The new legislation recognizes that a Denturist has been fully trained to consult with both the patient and the Dentist prior to the treatment, to take an impression of the mouth and to make the partial denture in his/her own clinic using a procedure similar to the one used to create a full denture. The new legislation will ensure that partial dentures are properly fitted, it will provide quick turnaround times for completed prescriptions and allow a greater percentage of the public to be able to afford partial dentures due to the reduced costs of the Denturist compared to a Dentist. It will also help to encourage those who are in need of a partial denture to have one made. A survey of patients in Alberta found that many people who require a partial denture never have one fitted due to the time and cost involved. To ensure full public protection, Denturists will be required to prove their professional skills before being granted individual partial denture licenses. They also must consult with a Dentist for every patient being fitted for a partial denture. Jim Connolly, Chairman of the College of Denturists of BC, explains, "There will be no 'grandfathering' of the approximately 200 Denturists in this province. All must successfully complete a thorough written and practical examination if they decide to increase their scope of practice and become licensed to perform this service in addition to full dentures. The regulations which were accepted are much more stringent than in other provinces resulting in more restrictions placed on BC Denturists and increased cooperation between Dentists and Denturists because we believe that the public will be better protected in this way." Dentists' training concentrates on the care and restoration of natural teeth. They study the construction of dentures and partial dentures only as a portion of their very extensive dentistry program. Denturists specialize in patient removable appliances and are fully trained to perform both intra-oral and laboratory procedures of complete and partial denture construction and maintenance. Both professions, working closely together, are integral to providing complete oral health care. Patients requiring a partial denture may first visit their Denturist, who will refer them to a Dentist, or they visit a Dentist directly to have the mouth checked and fully restored prior to treatment. Then they have a partial denture created and fitted by a Denturist and finally have the finished appliance checked in the mouth by a Dentist. For partial or full denture repairs or relining, it is advantageous for patients to visit a Denturist. A Denturist can complete the modifications on premises, often delivering the repaired partial denture back to the patient within a few hours. A Dentist may require up to three days to complete the same procedure since the process must go through a commercial dental lab. An experienced Denturist and executive member of the BC Denturist Association, states, "A correctly fitted denture results when the 'fitting surfaces' and the 'functioning surfaces' work together in perfect harmony. If the fit of a denture or partial works to support its function, the results are great. The applicances remain stable, comfortable and work effectively, without any health risks to the patient." "It is gratifying that BC Denturists are now allowed to perform the work they have been trained to do. We are highly educated, capable professionals who have been successfully dealing with thousands of clients for many years and often consult with a Dentist on a client's partial requirements. We are there to provide better service to the patient and to work as a team with dentists to provide more responsible care. We welcome the Dentist's involvement with each patient because we understand that the patient's confidence will be lost if a complication occurs following a treatment that was not approved by a Dentist." The majority of BC Dentists are in favour of the new legislation that encourages a more cooperative relationship between the two professions. It has proven to be a very successful partnership in other provinces. Dr. Peter Stepney, a Dentist practicing in Langley, B.C., states, "The standard of care that can be offered by a well trained Denturist will be at least the same level that a Dentist provides when dealing secondhand with a lab. Given the time involved in creating a partial denture compared with many other dental procedures, making partial dentures in a Dentist's office is not an efficient use of a Dentist's time. They can be more efficiently provided in a Denturist's office. Dentists end up delegating the vast majority of the work to a lab and though we attempt to communicate as clearly as possible the individual needs and problems of the patient, it is almost impossible for them to produce exactly what is required without seeing the patient. Denturists are in the best position to pinpoint and correct very small problems simply because they have the skill set to do both ends of this job." Greater public awareness is key. Prior to the new legislation, the public's general knowledge concerning Denturists and their capabilities was often not clear. The Denturist Association of BC is committed to increasing awareness of the profession and providing information regarding the alternatives available. It also strives to increase proper dental care and oral hygiene. It particularly targets those individuals who currently wear a full upper denture but do not wear a lower partial with their remaining natural teeth to support the upper denture. For these individuals, this may result in a poor fitting upper denture causing an increase in bone loss, tissue growth and sore spots. Difficulty chewing and digesting food is another common problem that may result. "It is vital to restore the mouth to its original state. The structure of the teeth and soft tissues that were once there need to be replaced or you will be compromising yourself. You're not eating your foods as well as you should, you're not looking as good as you could and you're not feeling as comfortable as you could be to enjoy every meal." Media Inquiries: Carol Crenna Coastal Media Group TEL: (604) 801-5566 FAX: (604) 801-5575 For further information: Denturist Association of BC TEL: (604) 530-9936 FAX: (604) 530-9436 Partial Legislation Q&A: What is the reaction to this legislation? Many Dentists already maintain close associations with Denturists and regularly consult with them on denture applications. Though there is a minority of Dentists who perceive the new legislation to be an infringement on their practice, others have felt frustrated in the past by the increased workload incurred in construction of partial dentures in addition to all other aspects of dental care requirements and welcome the cooperative laws. The College of Dental Surgeons of BC has expressed the desire to work closely with the Denturist community and to continue working with the College of Denturists of BC to ensure public wellbeing and that any issues resulting from the legislation will be resolved. Why has BC lagged behind other provinces to introduce this legislation? In addition to following the procedures established in cooperation with Health Professions Council, the BC Government took a preliminary step for public protection. This extra step involved careful negotiation with the three stakeholders, College of Denturists of BC, College of Dental Technicians of BC and College of Dental Surgeons of BC, to ensure unanimous support of the legislative changes before they were submitted to the Health Professions Council. It was this process that proved to be time consuming. How soon will a patient be able to go to a Denturist for a partial denture and how will they know which Denturist has been licensed to construct partials? As soon as a license has been issued to their Denturist, a patient can have a prescription filled. The public will simply need to ask a Denturist whether he/she is legally qualified to administer partial dentures. Why will the new legislation allow for reduced costs of partial dentures to the patient? Prior to the new legislation, a patient would essentially pay for two services, the Dentist's professional fees and the technician lab's charges to the Dentist for fabrication of the partial. Due to reduced overhead and a lack of several incidental fees incurred by a Dentist, Denturists charge, on average, from 10% to 15% less than a Dentist. Formerly, dental insurance would not cover a consultation fee or any other type of assistance that a Denturist provided to a Dentist or directly to a patient for partial services. Who drafted the regulations that were passed and the required examination materials? The regulations were compiled and completed by the Health Professions Council of the BC Government with consultation from the College of Denturists of BC, College of Dental Technicians of BC and College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. The examination was drafted by the College of Denturists of BC. Exactly what education is a licensed Denturist required to have completed? Denturists are required to take two-year denturist program including both academic and hands-on clinical studies. Upon graduation, they are required to complete either a one-year or two- year internship (depending on the province). The internship is a mentoring program providing more exposure to patients and increased laboratory work to help build their skills. This will allow them to be able to complete Board examinations that include intensive theory and practical exams. They are taught to perform both intra-oral and laboratory procedures for both complete and partial dental construction in addition to repairing, relining and other required modifications. Is it true that the public requirement for dentures is declining and therefore there will be less need for Denturists in the future? It is true that dental health has improved in recent decades and people are losing fewer teeth. (BC is reported to have one of the highest levels of dental health in Canada.) This will result in fewer full dentures being administered but it will increase demand for partial dentures. The increase in partial dentures will primarily result from the fact that a percentage of the public will not be able to afford alternatives currently available. For example, as an option to costly crown and bridge treatments, some patients may choose a removable appliance to replace the missing teeth rather than a fixed appliance, or, if required, a partial that is applied to a new crown. High costs will also limit the use of several of the latest developments in science including implants and, in the future, 'cultivated' or 'lab-generated' human teeth. Where can I find more in-depth information regarding the new partial denture regulations? Contact The College of Denturists of BC at (604) 515-0533 or visit its website at www.cd.bc.ca/Denturist_Regulation.html Where can I find more information regarding partials? Contact The Denturist Association of BC at (604) 582-6823 or visit its website at www.denturist.bc.ca	Denture Topics: Denturists are Denture Specialists Exam, Care and Maintenance Full Dentures Immediate Dentures Implant Retained Dentures Personalized Standard Dentures Personalized Precision Dentures Reline, Rebase, and Repairs Removable Partial Dentures Benefits of Soft Liners When Does a Denture Need Replacing Quick Links: Home President’s Message Frequently Asked Questions Site Map Contact us
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The Denturist Association of British Columbia

Suite 312C-9801 King George Hwy, Surrey BC V3T-5H5

604-582-6823
www.denturist.bc.ca
info@denturist.bc.ca

Partial Dentures, PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release; September 1, 2000

New Partial Denture Legislation
Provides More Options for Health Care Consumers in BC

Vancouver, B.C.-- The Denturist Association of BC is pleased to announce that Denturists will be able to offer BC residents more comprehensive service, better care and reduced costs in receiving partial denture services due to legislation recently passed by the BC government.

A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing natural teeth.

Consumers will now have more choices when making decisions concerning their oral health. Residents from other provinces have, for several years, been given the choice between receiving partial dentures from their Denturist or their Dentist. Yet in BC, up until this time, they have not. BC was the first province to receive legislation recognizing Denturists as qualified professionals, establishing stringent standards of training and education for denture services in 1958. However, legislation failed to keep pace with changing health care demands until now by not allowing Denturists to legally provide partial denture services to the public.

Before the new legislation and bylaws were passed on June 8, 2000, consumers were able to have only their Dentist provide a partial denture, even though Denturists are as qualified and better equipped to construct and administer partial dentures. The Dentist would take an impression of the mouth and send it to a commercial dental lab where the partial denture would be created without the Dental Technician seeing the patient. Direct patient interaction is vital since an improperly fitted or infrequently worn appliance can cause damage to the gums and remaining teeth. The new legislation recognizes that a Denturist has been fully trained to consult with both the patient and the Dentist prior to the treatment, to take an impression of the mouth and to make the partial denture in his/her own clinic using a procedure similar to the one used to create a full denture.

The new legislation will ensure that partial dentures are properly fitted, it will provide quick turnaround times for completed prescriptions and allow a greater percentage of the public to be able to afford partial dentures due to the reduced costs of the Denturist compared to a Dentist. It will also help to encourage those who are in need of a partial denture to have one made. A survey of patients in Alberta found that many people who require a partial denture never have one fitted due to the time and cost involved.

To ensure full public protection, Denturists will be required to prove their professional skills before being granted individual partial denture licenses. They also must consult with a Dentist for every patient being fitted for a partial denture. Jim Connolly, Chairman of the College of Denturists of BC, explains, "There will be no 'grandfathering' of the approximately 200 Denturists in this province. All must successfully complete a thorough written and practical examination if they decide to increase their scope of practice and become licensed to perform this service in addition to full dentures. The regulations which were accepted are much more stringent than in other provinces resulting in more restrictions placed on BC Denturists and increased cooperation between Dentists and Denturists because we believe that the public will be better protected in this way."

Dentists' training concentrates on the care and restoration of natural teeth. They study the construction of dentures and partial dentures only as a portion of their very extensive dentistry program. Denturists specialize in patient removable appliances and are fully trained to perform both intra-oral and laboratory procedures of complete and partial denture construction and maintenance. Both professions, working closely together, are integral to providing complete oral health care.

Patients requiring a partial denture may first visit their Denturist, who will refer them to a Dentist, or they visit a Dentist directly to have the mouth checked and fully restored prior to treatment. Then they have a partial denture created and fitted by a Denturist and finally have the finished appliance checked in the mouth by a Dentist. For partial or full denture repairs or relining, it is advantageous for patients to visit a Denturist. A Denturist can complete the modifications on premises, often delivering the repaired partial denture back to the patient within a few hours. A Dentist may require up to three days to complete the same procedure since the process must go through a commercial dental lab.

An experienced Denturist and executive member of the BC Denturist Association, states, "A correctly fitted denture results when the 'fitting surfaces' and the 'functioning surfaces' work together in perfect harmony. If the fit of a denture or partial works to support its function, the results are great. The applicances remain stable, comfortable and work effectively, without any health risks to the patient."

"It is gratifying that BC Denturists are now allowed to perform the work they have been trained to do. We are highly educated, capable professionals who have been successfully dealing with thousands of clients for many years and often consult with a Dentist on a client's partial requirements. We are there to provide better service to the patient and to work as a team with dentists to provide more responsible care. We welcome the Dentist's involvement with each patient because we understand that the patient's confidence will be lost if a complication occurs following a treatment that was not approved by a Dentist."

The majority of BC Dentists are in favour of the new legislation that encourages a more cooperative relationship between the two professions. It has proven to be a very successful partnership in other provinces.

Dr. Peter Stepney, a Dentist practicing in Langley, B.C., states, "The standard of care that can be offered by a well trained Denturist will be at least the same level that a Dentist provides when dealing secondhand with a lab. Given the time involved in creating a partial denture compared with many other dental procedures, making partial dentures in a Dentist's office is not an efficient use of a Dentist's time. They can be more efficiently provided in a Denturist's office. Dentists end up delegating the vast majority of the work to a lab and though we attempt to communicate as clearly as possible the individual needs and problems of the patient, it is almost impossible for them to produce exactly what is required without seeing the patient. Denturists are in the best position to pinpoint and correct very small problems simply because they have the skill set to do both ends of this job."

Greater public awareness is key. Prior to the new legislation, the public's general knowledge concerning Denturists and their capabilities was often not clear. The Denturist Association of BC is committed to increasing awareness of the profession and providing information regarding the alternatives available. It also strives to increase proper dental care and oral hygiene. It particularly targets those individuals who currently wear a full upper denture but do not wear a lower partial with their remaining natural teeth to support the upper denture. For these individuals, this may result in a poor fitting upper denture causing an increase in bone loss, tissue growth and sore spots. Difficulty chewing and digesting food is another common problem that may result.

"It is vital to restore the mouth to its original state. The structure of the teeth and soft tissues that were once there need to be replaced or you will be compromising yourself. You're not eating your foods as well as you should, you're not looking as good as you could and you're not feeling as comfortable as you could be to enjoy every meal."

Media Inquiries:
Carol Crenna
Coastal Media Group
TEL: (604) 801-5566
FAX: (604) 801-5575
For further information:

Denturist Association of BC
TEL: (604) 530-9936
FAX: (604) 530-9436

Partial Legislation Q&A:

What is the reaction to this legislation?
Many Dentists already maintain close associations with Denturists and regularly consult with them on denture applications. Though there is a minority of Dentists who perceive the new legislation to be an infringement on their practice, others have felt frustrated in the past by the increased workload incurred in construction of partial dentures in addition to all other aspects of dental care requirements and welcome the cooperative laws. The College of Dental Surgeons of BC has expressed the desire to work closely with the Denturist community and to continue working with the College of Denturists of BC to ensure public wellbeing and that any issues resulting from the legislation will be resolved.

Why has BC lagged behind other provinces to introduce this legislation?
In addition to following the procedures established in cooperation with Health Professions Council, the BC Government took a preliminary step for public protection. This extra step involved careful negotiation with the three stakeholders, College of Denturists of BC, College of Dental Technicians of BC and College of Dental Surgeons of BC, to ensure unanimous support of the legislative changes before they were submitted to the Health Professions Council. It was this process that proved to be time consuming.

How soon will a patient be able to go to a Denturist for a partial denture and how will they know which Denturist has been licensed to construct partials?
As soon as a license has been issued to their Denturist, a patient can have a prescription filled. The public will simply need to ask a Denturist whether he/she is legally qualified to administer partial dentures.

Why will the new legislation allow for reduced costs of partial dentures to the patient?
Prior to the new legislation, a patient would essentially pay for two services, the Dentist's professional fees and the technician lab's charges to the Dentist for fabrication of the partial. Due to reduced overhead and a lack of several incidental fees incurred by a Dentist, Denturists charge, on average, from 10% to 15% less than a Dentist. Formerly, dental insurance would not cover a consultation fee or any other type of assistance that a Denturist provided to a Dentist or directly to a patient for partial services.

Who drafted the regulations that were passed and the required examination materials?
The regulations were compiled and completed by the Health Professions Council of the BC Government with consultation from the College of Denturists of BC, College of Dental Technicians of BC and College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. The examination was drafted by the College of Denturists of BC.

Exactly what education is a licensed Denturist required to have completed?
Denturists are required to take two-year denturist program including both academic and hands-on clinical studies. Upon graduation, they are required to complete either a one-year or two- year internship (depending on the province). The internship is a mentoring program providing more exposure to patients and increased laboratory work to help build their skills. This will allow them to be able to complete Board examinations that include intensive theory and practical exams. They are taught to perform both intra-oral and laboratory procedures for both complete and partial dental construction in addition to repairing, relining and other required modifications.

Is it true that the public requirement for dentures is declining and therefore there will be less need for Denturists in the future?
It is true that dental health has improved in recent decades and people are losing fewer teeth. (BC is reported to have one of the highest levels of dental health in Canada.) This will result in fewer full dentures being administered but it will increase demand for partial dentures. The increase in partial dentures will primarily result from the fact that a percentage of the public will not be able to afford alternatives currently available. For example, as an option to costly crown and bridge treatments, some patients may choose a removable appliance to replace the missing teeth rather than a fixed appliance, or, if required, a partial that is applied to a new crown. High costs will also limit the use of several of the latest developments in science including implants and, in the future, 'cultivated' or 'lab-generated' human teeth.

Where can I find more in-depth information
regarding the new partial denture regulations?
Contact
The College of Denturists of BC at
(604) 515-0533
or visit its website at www.cd.bc.ca/Denturist_Regulation.html

Where can I find more information
regarding partials?

Contact
The Denturist Association of BC at
(604) 582-6823
or visit its website at
www.denturist.bc.ca

Denture Topics:

Denturists are Denture Specialists Exam, Care and Maintenance Full Dentures Immediate Dentures Implant Retained Dentures Personalized Standard Dentures Personalized Precision Dentures Reline, Rebase, and Repairs Removable Partial Dentures Benefits of Soft Liners When Does a Denture Need Replacing

Quick Links:

Home President’s Message Frequently Asked Questions Site Map Contact us