AUTHOR DETAILS

Dr. Robert Taft, DDS, FACP

Dr. Taft earned his D.D.S. degree from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1983. After graduating, he joined the Navy and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps.

His first duty station was a one-year general practice residency (GPR) at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. In July 1984, he reported to Naval Communication Station San Miguel in the Philippines as Department Head for Dental Services. His next assignment was at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, where he served as the clinic Prosthodontist and Division Officer.

In 1988, Dr. Taft began a Prosthodontic residency at the Naval Postgraduate School in Bethesda, MD, earning a certificate in 1990. He then pursued a fellowship in Maxillofacial Prosthetics at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, receiving a certificate in 1992. After his specialty training, Dr. Taft held various clinical and leadership roles at Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA. He subsequently served as Chairman and Program Director for the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Fellowship at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School from 1997 to 2001 and later as a professor in the Naval Postgraduate Prosthodontics Residency Program in 2002. 

He was then assigned to the Navy Medicine Education and Training Command in Bethesda, MD, as Director of Graduate Programs and served as Medical Joint-Service Education Director during the 2005 BRAC process. From June 2006 to June 2011, Dr. Taft was Dean of the Naval Postgraduate Dental School and the Specialty Leader to the Surgeon General for Postgraduate Dental Education. He was Deputy Chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps from June 2011 to June 2013, Department Chair of Prosthodontics at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School from June 2013 to June 2016, and Chairman of the Comprehensive Dentistry Department at UT Health, San Antonio, School of Dentistry from July 2016 to January 2020. From January 2020 to August 2022, he served as Professor and Interim Program Director of Graduate Prosthodontics in the same department.

Dr. Taft is a Diplomate, Board Examiner, and Past President of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He is also a Fellow and Past President of the American College of Prosthodontists

Implant-Supported Removable Prostheses: Enhancing Stability and Quality of Life
Credits: 1.0
AGD Code(s): 693
Non-Participating Provider Fee: $12.00

Dental implants have revolutionized prosthetic dentistry, offering a paradigm shift from solely tissue-supported to implant-supported removable prostheses. This Quality Resource Guide explores implant-supported removable prostheses, examining their designs and indications. It also discusses their advantages and disadvantages, as well as important aspects of treatment planning, surgical considerations, prosthetic fabrication and maintenance.

Overview of Digital Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry
Credits: 1.0
AGD Code(s): 610
Non-Participating Provider Fee: $12.00

Digital dentistry is rapidly gaining acceptance in contemporary dental practice. Properly implemented, it can improve patient care efficiency, accuracy, and predictability. However, there are many variations of the digital workflow for the practitioner to consider. Options include a complete digital workflow or a hybrid digital workflow. Production may occur in-house or at an offsite laboratory. This Quality Resource Guide (QRG) provides an overview of the current digital workflow options. It should assist the practitioner in deciding which approach, if any, will best fit the needs of their dental practice.