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Dentist-dental laboratory harmony
DENTIST-DENTAL
LABORATORY
CHARLES
M. ENRIGHT, D.D.S.
Holyoke,
Mass.
HARMONY
utilize services of a commercial dental laboratory. Only a select few who specialize in prosthetic dentistry employ a qualified dental laboratory technician in the office ; these dentists have a distinct advantage.
M
OST DENTISTS
ADVANTAGES
OF PRIVATE
TECHNICIAN
Many advantages are gained from the private dental laboratory technician: (1) there can be close personal communication, (2) there is more familiarity with the techniques used by the dentist and there are fewer mistakes, (3) the dentist and other auxiliary personnel can be relieved of laboratory procedures, (4) techniques need not be limited to those which can be delayed or restorations that can be transported, (5) appointments can be made efficiently because time estimates can be judged correctly, (6) the dentist can maintain a constant supervisory position and at the same time more readily accept helpful suggestions from the technician, and (7) additional adjunctive personnel used correctly makes the dental office more efficient. The average practitioner of general dentistry finds this employee economically impractical. Therefore, the afore-mentioned advantages are absent unless a strict routine procedure is followed in coordinating the work of the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory. PROBLEMS
IN
USE OF COMMERCIAL
LABORATORY
The employment of the commercial dental laboratory poses many problems. Mutual satisfaction is obligatory. The commercial laboratory in many instances is not given sufficient help from the dentist to achieve this necessary harmony. The dentist, by placing untoward demands on the laboratory, creates ill will between two people who must work together. Disharmony between dentists and laboratories and slipshod dentistry are responsible for one of our current problemsthe laboratories that practice dentistry illegally. Maximum cooperation between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory increases the efficiency of both. This increased efficiency results in happiness for both parties. RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR DENTIST-DENTAL
LABORATORY
HARMONY
The following recommendations would encourage harmony between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory : 393
394
ENRIGHT
Marc
Pros. Den. b-April, 1961
1. Dental materials must be used as specified. Alginate (irreversible hydroco&id) and other impressions made from elastic materials must be poured immediately to reduce distortion. 2. Both the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory must use techniques that are predictabkz. 3. The commercial dental laboratory must be given adequate time so that the service can be properly accomplished. 4. Untoward economic demands must not be placed on the commercial dental laboratory. 5. A respectable business relationship must be maintained between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory. 6. The dentist must design his own dentures and other restorations so the responsibility for failures resulting from design will be with the dentist, where it helongs.
7. Each procedure that is transferred from the dental office to the commercial dental laboratory must be accompanied by a written instruction sheet that gives explicit and sufficient directions. If these suggestions are followed, the relationship between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory will be greatly improved and both will be more e&ient. The dentist, by cooperating and being cooperated with more readily, will be able to alleviate greatly the problem of illegal practitioners by making the position of the skilled and respectable dental laboratory technician more secure. MEDICAL ARTS BLDG.
207 ELM ST. HOLYOKE,
MASS.
LABORATORY
CHARLES
M. ENRIGHT, D.D.S.
Holyoke,
Mass.
HARMONY
utilize services of a commercial dental laboratory. Only a select few who specialize in prosthetic dentistry employ a qualified dental laboratory technician in the office ; these dentists have a distinct advantage.
M
OST DENTISTS
ADVANTAGES
OF PRIVATE
TECHNICIAN
Many advantages are gained from the private dental laboratory technician: (1) there can be close personal communication, (2) there is more familiarity with the techniques used by the dentist and there are fewer mistakes, (3) the dentist and other auxiliary personnel can be relieved of laboratory procedures, (4) techniques need not be limited to those which can be delayed or restorations that can be transported, (5) appointments can be made efficiently because time estimates can be judged correctly, (6) the dentist can maintain a constant supervisory position and at the same time more readily accept helpful suggestions from the technician, and (7) additional adjunctive personnel used correctly makes the dental office more efficient. The average practitioner of general dentistry finds this employee economically impractical. Therefore, the afore-mentioned advantages are absent unless a strict routine procedure is followed in coordinating the work of the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory. PROBLEMS
IN
USE OF COMMERCIAL
LABORATORY
The employment of the commercial dental laboratory poses many problems. Mutual satisfaction is obligatory. The commercial laboratory in many instances is not given sufficient help from the dentist to achieve this necessary harmony. The dentist, by placing untoward demands on the laboratory, creates ill will between two people who must work together. Disharmony between dentists and laboratories and slipshod dentistry are responsible for one of our current problemsthe laboratories that practice dentistry illegally. Maximum cooperation between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory increases the efficiency of both. This increased efficiency results in happiness for both parties. RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR DENTIST-DENTAL
LABORATORY
HARMONY
The following recommendations would encourage harmony between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory : 393
394
ENRIGHT
Marc
Pros. Den. b-April, 1961
1. Dental materials must be used as specified. Alginate (irreversible hydroco&id) and other impressions made from elastic materials must be poured immediately to reduce distortion. 2. Both the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory must use techniques that are predictabkz. 3. The commercial dental laboratory must be given adequate time so that the service can be properly accomplished. 4. Untoward economic demands must not be placed on the commercial dental laboratory. 5. A respectable business relationship must be maintained between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory. 6. The dentist must design his own dentures and other restorations so the responsibility for failures resulting from design will be with the dentist, where it helongs.
7. Each procedure that is transferred from the dental office to the commercial dental laboratory must be accompanied by a written instruction sheet that gives explicit and sufficient directions. If these suggestions are followed, the relationship between the dentist and the commercial dental laboratory will be greatly improved and both will be more e&ient. The dentist, by cooperating and being cooperated with more readily, will be able to alleviate greatly the problem of illegal practitioners by making the position of the skilled and respectable dental laboratory technician more secure. MEDICAL ARTS BLDG.
207 ELM ST. HOLYOKE,
MASS.