Craniofacial and Trauma Rehabilitation —
Training activity: 7

Details

Plan design and manufacture surgical dressing plates for edentulous and partially dentate patient’s undergoing a hemi-maxillectomy

Type

Developmental training activity (DTA)

Evidence requirements

Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.

Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.

An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.

Reflective practice guidance

The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.

Before action

• What are the specific considerations for edentulous and partially dentate patients?
• What is your current understanding of hemi-maxillectomy defects and the role of surgical dressing plates?
• What do you anticipate learning about the design features required for these plates to support healing and protect the surgical site, particularly in relation to the patient’s dentition?
• Have you reviewed examples of surgical dressing plates for hemi-maxillectomy patients?
• Have you discussed the design principles and material selection with your training officer?
• What potential challenges might you face in accommodating different patient anatomies and ensuring adequate coverage?
• Have you considered the other healthcare professionals you will need to communicate with?

In action

• During the planning and manufacturing, how are you accounting for the patient’s dentition status (edentulous or partially dentate)? What specific design features are you incorporating?
• Are you encountering any challenges in achieving adequate coverage and stability of the dressing plate? How are you modifying your approach?
• What material properties are you considering as you manufacture the dressing plate to ensure it meets the post-operative requirements?
• Have you discussed any changes in design of the dressing plate / prosthesis with the restorative dentist / surgeon?

On action

• Describe the process of planning, designing, and manufacturing the surgical dressing plates for the specific patient case(s). What considerations were made for the edentulous or partially dentate status?
• What did you learn about the specific design requirements for surgical dressing plates following hemi-maxillectomy, particularly in relation to supporting soft tissues and interacting with remaining dentition? What challenges did you face in accommodating the surgical defect and the patient’s oral anatomy? How did this activity enhance your understanding of post-surgical management for these patients?
• What aspects of design and manufacturing for these plates will you focus on improving? What resources or further learning would be beneficial?

Beyond action

• Revisiting this activity, how has your understanding of surgical defects and their impact on prosthodontic design developed?
• How did the experience of planning and manufacturing this device enhance your understanding of the materials and techniques used in obturator construction?
• How might this experience contribute to your future work with patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery and requiring obturation?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 1	Outcome Deliver quality patient centred care with the best interests of patients in all elements of practice.
# 2	Outcome Practice in accordance with local and national health and safety policies, regulatory requirements and overall service governance.
# 3	Outcome Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
# 5	Outcome Practice in partnership with other clinical specialisms as part of a multidisciplinary team and understand their roles and their impact on patient care and pathway.
# 6	Outcome Perform clinical investigations, formulate treatment plans and manufacture medical devices to a safe clinical standard.
# 8	Outcome Select appropriate biomedical materials and components used in the treatment of patients and the manufacture of custom-made medical devices.
# 9	Outcome Assess and interpret patients’ needs to provide customised treatment dependent on medical, physical, social and psychological requirements.