Partially Dentate Patients Project

Rates of natural tooth retention are increasing globally: rather than losing all their teeth as they age, patients are increasingly greeting old age with at least a few of their natural teeth still intact.

This has led to a significant increase in the number of partially dentate patients. Even partial tooth loss can affect every aspect of life, from limiting the foods we can enjoy to undermining our self-confidence and affecting our relationships with others. This relatively new patient group requires a tailored, comprehensive approach to treatment and care.

Effectively managing partially dentate patients

The Partially Dentate Patients (PDP) Project was launched in 2018. Caring for a partially dentate patient is a long-term process that includes three main pillars: a pre-treatment/assessment phase, a treatment phase, and a post-treatment/long-term care phase. The PDP Project encourages dentists to place equal importance on each of these three phases and to organize their treatment and care plan along this continuum.

Goal 1

Empower dental practitioners to understand and support the specific needs of the patient

Goal 2

Improve outcomes for partially dentate patients by providing practitioners and other stakeholders with the appropriate tools

Goal 3

Increase global awareness about the specific needs and treatment options of partially dentate patients

Resources

Collaborative Care Continuum: Professional guidelines

Chairside guide

These guidelines aim to support oral health professionals when managing partially dentate patients, providing tailored instructions for each treatment options along the 3Cs pathway.

Collaborative Care Continuum: My oral health checklist

Brochure

Making the best of your appointment with your dentist.

Collaborative Care Continuum: The 3Cs pathway for partially dentate patients

White paper

This white paper advocates for a shift in the pattern of healthcare provision from a biomedical, disease-driven treatment model to a patient-centred, holistic, and prevention-focused approach.

Partially Dentate Patients - Survey report

Report

The survey was conducted between the 26th of August and the 20th of October 2020 and National Dental Associations from 59 different countries responded. Its purpose is to understand how...