What Dentists Can Learn From Visiting a Dental Laboratory
What Dentists Can Learn From Visiting a Dental Laboratory
Many doctors as well as staff are fascinated by the equipment and technology used in a dental laboratory as well as how a restoration moves through the manufacturing process. Below are some tips on what dentists should look for when touring a dental laboratory and some questions to ask.
The laboratory's staff:
You should meet the staff, especially those that have direct interaction with you or your staff.
The entire facility:
Be sure to do a complete walk through of the facility. Make certain that you see each area/department and that you know what function occurs where. Is the laboratory certified (either a Certified Dental Laboratory or DAMAS)? Does the laboratory provide a safe, clean, professional environment?
In the administration area:
Does the laboratory have software that can track cases? If not, who is the primary contact so that you can determine where a case is or at what stage it is in? Does the laboratory consistently enter cases into a scheduling system? When the case enters the laboratory, what are the infection control procedures? Who is responsible for the quality control and how does the laboratory track it? Are you aware of the laboratories policies regarding payment terms and remakes?
Shade verification area:
If you are in a state that allows for a patient to go to the laboratory for shade verification, you should inspect that area to determine if it looks like an operatory? You want to verify that the patient is seen in a professional setting.
In the shipping and receiving areas:
Who reviews the impressions when they are received in the laboratory? What are the laboratory's infection control procedures? Do they go through annual infection control education (all CDTs are required to take annual courses in infection control). Do they have an up to date certificate? Allow the personnel to explain why they do that each year and what assurance that it provides to you.
In the model and die preparation area:
What equipment does the laboratory use to ensure that the models are prepared accurately? What type of articulating instruments are being used and do they provide a choice for you to select from to meet your needs?
In the wax department:
Primarily this department's equipment is made up of waxing instruments (wax pots for melting the wax,) mixers (for mixing investment materials) and casting machines. Is the equipment up to date so that it integrates well with the materials that are being used? This is important to ensure that the (casting) machine allows for a precise melt of the alloys each time.
In the metal finishing and porcelain departments:
For metal finishing, what does the laboratory utilize to determine the accuracy of the casting? Some laboratories go so far as to use microscopes. For the porcelain department, cleanliness is likely one of the biggest issues. The area must be very clean so that debris does not contaminate the porcelain during the firing process. Ovens should be up to date and celebrated frequently to adequately process the porcelain.
Bottom line:
What measurements are in place to ensure that there is consistency within the laboratory's processes? All of these things affect the end product that you place in your patient's mouth. You should expect predictable, consistent, accurate results and for methods, equipment and processes that ensure that you get them.
