Evaluation of Communication Quality through Dental Laboratory work Authorization between Dentists & Dental Technicians for Fabrication of Fixed Dental Prostheses in Aljabal Alakhdar Region, Libya

Abstract

Background: Construction of a clinically successful fixed prosthodontic restoration needs clear  & prefect communication between fixed prosthodontists &  dental laboratory technicians. Appropriate completion of dental laboratory work authorization by fixed prosthodontists gives a means for improved professional quality assurance and satisfaction in dental prosthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of communication between dentists and dental technicians via work authorization for fixed  dental prosthesis in Aljabal Alakhdar region, Libya . Communication between dentists and dental laboratories helps ensure that the patient receives high-quality care and optimal dental work results. The laboratory must clearly understand the dentist’s instructions and needs to produce a product that meets them. The fixed prosthodontist, meanwhile, must have confidence that their instructions are being understood & followed correctly in order to avoid compromise the patient’s health or wellbeing. The dentist and the technician should work together in proper sequence to develop restorations that are biologically and mechanically sound and to produce fixed dental prostheses  that reflect continuous progress in prosthetic dentistry. The use of the work authorization order is essential for good dentist-laboratory communication . A questionnaire was distributed to dental laboratory technicians to assess the level of communication between fixed prosthodontists and dental laboratory technicians  in specific areas of the dental laboratory  work authorization forms for the construction of fixed dental restorations . Materials and Methods :  In Aljabal Alakhdar region, a randomized sample of private dental laboratory technicians was chosen. A thirty questionnaires were distributed, and twenty-one were received (response rate 70%). The questionnaire was distributed to the laboratory technicians for a total of 30 dental laboratory technicians . The survey asked questions pertaining to the following areas of work authorization: legibility and thoroughness, clarity  & accuracy of instructions, patient information, type of prosthesis, choice of materials for the prosthesis, design of the prosthesis, and shade description. For all the questions, the number of responses received was tabulated and converted to a percentage . Data were collected and analyzed statistically with (SPSS) version 16 software and Pearson’s Chi-square test p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Of the thirty dental laboratory technicians surveyed, 21 (70%) responded to the questionnaire. Results from this study reveal that there is inadequate of communication between fixed prosthodontists & dental laboratory technicians via dental laboratory work authorization forms regarding type of porcelain to be used, selection of dental casting metal alloy and choice of the proper finish line margin, and pontic design for the fixed dental restoration . Thirty-eight of the participating dental technicians had to seek clarification from the dentist concerning the written instructions which reveal inadequate prescription . Conclusions : Inadequate communication between fixed prosthodontists & dental technicians was observed, as the many of the prosthesis design decisions were left to the dental laboratory  technicians. Therefore, communication between dentists and dental technicians should be improved by conducting combined workshops for the successful construction of fixed dental prostheses.

 Keywords:  Communication, Dental technician, Dentist, Fixed prosthodontics, Work authorization form.