Denturists: Alternative healthcare providers for oral health screenings and referrals

The denturist is qualified to provide oral health screenings and referrals. Denturists are licensed oral healthcare professionals who perform a variety of intra-oral procedures and related activities pertaining to the design, construction, repair or alteration of removable dentures for the fully or partially edentulous patient in a variety of practice environments. The denturist works independently with the patient, and collaboratively with other healthcare providers where necessary or appropriate. [1,2] There is a shortage of dentists across the United States.[3,4] Due to this shortage denture care by denturists has proven to be a safe alternative denture delivery system. Denturists serve all segments of the public, crossing economic barriers to provide accessible and affordable denture care. This is an opportunity for oral health wellness to be recognized by a qualified, educated denturist and referral services provided in the event that abnormalities are found. The denturist plays a crucial part in alleviating the aftermath of shortages of dentists by freeing up valuable chairtime for children, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental procedures while at the same time serving the Surgeon General's National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health, [5] “Raising awareness of oral health among legislators and public officials at all levels of government is essential to creating effective public policy to improve America's oral health. Every conceivable avenue should be used to inform policymakers; informally through their organizations and affiliations and formally through their governmental offices, if rational oral health policy is to be formulated and effective programs implemented.” [6]