Open AccessTHE FUTURE OF MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETICS IN LIBYA
Author(s) -
Mahmoud E Elbashti,
Amel M Aswehlee,
Mariko Hattori,
Yuka I. Sumita,
Hisashi Taniguchi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the libyan dental journal ldj
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2001-1822
DOI - 10.5542/ldj.v6i0.26221335
Subject(s) - subspecialty , scope (computer science) , medicine , status quo , rehabilitation , head and neck , business , dentistry , political science , surgery , family medicine , physical therapy , computer science , law , programming language
Maxillofacial prosthetics is a subspecialty of prosthodontics with a relatively wide scope in that it provides prosthetic rehabilitation and therapeutic appliances for numerous disorders, injuries, and defects of the head and neck region. This subspecialty is widely recognized in developed countries, but less so in many developing countries. This special article is an initial effort to review the current status of maxillofacial prosthetics in Libya’s health and higher education sectors and its future establishment. In addition, we outline the steps needed to move beyond the current status quo in Libya. Based on a review of internationally recognized maxillofacial prosthetic programs based in North America, Europe, Japan, and South Africa, two plans for establishment are recommended for this purpose: an urgent short-term plan and an institutional long-term plan. Applying both plans would initially support maxillofacial prosthetic providers in managing patients with maxillofacial defects and developing contingency plans for follow-up and maintenance.