COMMUNICATING WITH THE DENTAL LABORATORY AP&T Flashcards
dental lab QA
(6)
1.Current process and reporting
2.Quality concerns
3.New Q.A. assignments/responsibilities
4.Student didactic education
5.New forms and the student clinical Q.A.
reporting process
6.Scheduled external dental lab educational
rotations and feedback
SOD quality concerns
Dentures:
RPD frameworks:
Fixed:
open occlusion, unsatisfactory
wax-up
Absent master cast tripod
lines; absence of specified undercuts
need the desired metal and porcelain
design from the C&B design form; need an
adjustable articulator for multiple units/FPD’s
never use a — for an FPD or survey crown
quadrant impression
SOD quality cocnerns
contract lab completions
Dentures:
RPD frameworks:
Fixed:
bulky/thin (cameo) complete
dentures
over-finished, Rx not
followed; incorrect clasp placement/finishing
porous dies; over-contoured/thick
prosthetic margins; short metal margins;
damaged die preparation; broken/glued dies;
expensive reduction copings ($20 each)
definition of the QA cycle
Plan
Do
Check
Act
Q.A. is a combination of efforts among
educators, staff, and students
new standards
Students must routinely assess their own
progress toward overall and individual
competencies as they move through the
curriculum.
CODA standard 2-23g calls for
“communicating and managing dental
laboratory procedures in support of patient
care.
general ed concerns (5)
Lack of programs in dental education
addressing the students’ technical knowledge
in performing and discussing dental lab
procedures
Reduced dental lab technical exposure for
students
Ineffective communication with the
commercial dental laboratory
Proprietary interests and commercial biases
could set future laboratory and clinical
standards
Denturism
dentist/technician communication
(2)
“The potential lack of understanding of
laboratory procedures as students translates
into poor communication with laboratory
technicians in practice.”
Technical knowledge and its application are a
vital part of prosthodontic treatment planning
and communication-with both the patient
and technician!
common concerns expressed by dental lab technicians (3)
Lack of recognition by the dental team
Lack of effective communication in the lab
prescription
Lack of knowledge by the dentist about
technical procedures
higher case rejection for d4 students (4)
Pressure for students to get requirements
completed by graduation
Stress from the National Board Examinations
External rotations with no opportunity for lab
communication
Not paying attention to detail and rushing
new QA responsibilities
Dr. Alison Louie-SOD Q.A. coordinator
Dr. Gottman-Dental Laboratory dentist
designee/liaison
Drs. Gottman, Deines, and Ball Q.A. lab cases
objectives (8)
Choose the right lab for your needs
Meet the lab owner and staff
Discover value-added laboratory benefits
Communicate your needs
Utilize the laboratory prescription completely
Understand lab case turn-around times and
remake policy
Review the fee schedule
Understand payment policy
lab QA/communication concerns of lab technicians (6)
Lack of recognition by the dental team
Lack of effective communication in the lab
prescription
Lack of knowledge by the dentist of technical
procedures
Lists of most common errors by student year
Journal of Prosthodontics 22 (2013) 85-91
“Lab Q.A. in the Department of Restorative
Dentistry at the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago,
College of Dentistry”
lab choices
(6)
Referrals from colleagues and specialists
www.nadl.org National Association of Dental
Laboratories
Dental laboratory publications: JDT, LMT
State dental board
ADA
Cheapest option (worst choice)
lab on site visit (8)
Make an appointment with the owner
Tour the facility(ies); technology and materials
used; CAD/CAM; 3D printing, AI?
Talk with and observe the technical staff
Ask who specifically will be doing your work
Discover the number and type of CDT’s in that
lab
Does the lab outsource? Where?
Observe cleanliness and infection control
Review the laboratory’s quality assurance
process-look at samples of their work!
lab value added benefits (5)
Custom shade determination service
Continuing education offered when requested
Consultation at your office, if necessary
Remote consultative services: treatment
planning, material selections, technical
guidance
Training provided for your support staff
communicate your needs (6)
Types of prosthetic restorative support you
need, i.e. Fixed, Removable, Acrylic, Implant;
CAD/CAM, 3D printing
Shipping requirements
Desired lab case turn-around time
Technical support
Materials available-specific information
Continuing education
utilizing lab work authorization (2)
Fully communicate the desired result
Use all types of communication tools, i.e.
writing, diagrams, photos, design casts,
shade sources/objects, verbal, electronic,
virtual
lab work authorization contents (7)
Name, age, gender, occupation, lifestyle
Date of request
Detailed description of the desired prosthesis
Specific materials/chemical composition to be
used, i.e. metal, acrylic, ceramic, polymer
Shade (number and specific guide)-diagram,
photo, former restoration
Desired occlusion-accurate casts,
interocclusal record, articulator settings
Diagnostic cast(s)-design and 3D waxing
lab work authorization (4)
Compose it yourself
Reread the final draft and opt to have
someone else read it for clarity
Present clear and concise instructions
Submit neat/clean quality case components
to the laboratory
turn around times (5)
Inform the lab of the TAT you desire
Will the lab’s TAT be consistent?
Can the lab meet those times, at what cost to
you?
Will the lab outsource any of your work?
Who pays the shipping? Overnight or longer?
remake policy (4)
Review the laboratory’s quality assurance
process
Inform the lab concerning your office Q.A.
process
How will you both communicate if quality
concerns arise?
What is the laboratory’s remake policy-
considering a lab error or a case submission
error ($$ responsibility)
lab fee schedule (4)
Understand the material options available for
each type of prosthesis
Understand additional charges to a stated
basic fee, i.e. denture teeth, type of precious
metal, number of RPD clasps
Reference the publication for fee
comparisons, Laboratory Management Today
www.lmtmag.com
Consult with colleagues
payment policy (5)
What does the lab expect from its customers?
Payment plans/options
Credit policy, credit card use
Late payment charges
How will you incorporate laboratory charges
into your patient billing plan?
report everything (2)
Successful and unsuccessful prosthetic
results-Fixed and Removable
Provide photos as well as descriptions
private dental lab rotations
discontinued due to covid
(5)
In the Spring semester third year dental students
are divided into groups.
They have scheduled rotations in a private dental
lab.
At the lab, small groups will rotate among the
various technical sections-C&B (metal, ceramics,
porcelain), Acrylic, RPD framework, CAD/CAM
Student/technician communication will be
encouraged
Feedback will be collected for future educational
development. Answer the 5 questions I give you
