Published: 07 September 2019

Authors: Finbarr Allen, Angus Walls, William Cheung

A “partially dentate patient” is defined as “a person with an incomplete natural dentition, where one or more teeth are congenitally absent or have been extracted due to disease, trauma or surgery”. This definition applies to different age groups.

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. The 3Cs pathway (Collaborative Care Continuum) is a personalized approach by the dentist to risk assessment, care planning and treatment of partially dentate patients. It considers different risk profiles, needs, and expectations.