The need for and value of a maxillofacial prosthodontic service in the Witwatersrand-Vaal area: Part I: A survey of the disciplines requiring a maxillofacial prosthodontic service.

The number o f patients in the Witwatersrand-Vaal area, requiring maxillofacial prosthodontic treatment has in­ creased rapidly in the past few years. In order to deter­ mine the future manpower needs a questionnaire was sent to 306 medical and dental specialists, and speech ther­ apists who practised in the Witwatersrand-Vaal area. The results o f this study showed that the projected increase in demand for a maxillofacial prosthodontic service will necessitate considerable expansion o f the existing service. Attention will also have to be paid to the training o f prosthodontists and dental technicians skilled in maxillo­ facial proslhodontics so that future manpower demands can be met. OPSOMMING