Craniofacial and Trauma Rehabilitation —
Training activity: 8

Details

Plan, design and manufacture a 1-part hollow box and 2-part soft flexible bung obturator

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 indications/ contraindications, and advantages of each type of obturator?
• What is your current understanding of maxillary defects and the function of obturators?
• What do you hope to learn about the specific design and manufacturing techniques for hollow box and soft flexible bung obturators, including considerations for retention and sealing?
• Have you reviewed the design principles and construction techniques for different types of obturators?
• Have you discussed the material properties and clinical applications of each type with your training officer?
• What potential challenges might arise in achieving adequate obturation and patient comfort?

In action

• As you design and manufacture each type of obturator, what distinct techniques are you employing for the hollow box versus the soft flexible bung? Why?
• Are you facing any difficulties in achieving a proper seal and retention for either type of obturator?  Understand why these difficulties may have occurred. How are you addressing these challenges?
• What considerations are you making regarding the potential for tissue changes post-surgery as you manufacture these obturators?

On action

• Describe the planning, design, and manufacturing processes for both the 1-part hollow box and the 2-part soft flexible bung obturator. What were the key differences in their construction?
• What did you learn about the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of each type of obturator? What were the critical design features for achieving retention, sealing, and patient comfort for each type? Did you encounter any specific challenges during the manufacturing process for either obturator?
• How will this experience inform your decision-making when choosing between different types of obturators? What specific skills in obturator design or manufacturing do you need to further develop?

Beyond action

• Reflecting on this activity, how has your understanding of the design features of different types of obturator prostheses deepened?
• How did this experience contribute to your ability to assess and interpret patients’ needs for customised treatment?
• How might the skills gained in designing and manufacturing obturators be applicable to other custom medical device fabrication in the future?

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.
# 4	Outcome Apply the principals of a quality management system to their professional practice.
# 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.