Communication Between the Dental Laboratory Technician and Dentist: Work Authorization for Fixed Partial Dentures

Abstract

A questionnaire was sent to laboratory technicians to determine the level of communication between dentists and dental laboratories in specific areas of the work authorization forms for the fabrication of fixed partial dentures. A select number of dental laboratories were randomly chosen from the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) for each of the 50 states. The questionnaire was mailed to the laboratory directors for a total of 199 dental laboratories. The survey asked questions pertaining to the following areas of work authorization: legibility and thoroughness of prescriptions, patient information, choice of materials for the prosthesis, design of the prosthesis, and shade description. For each question, the number of responses received was tabulated and converted to a percentage. Of the 199 laboratories surveyed, 114 (57%) responded to the questionnaire. Results from this survey suggest that there is lack of communication between dentists and dental laboratories through work authorization forms regarding choice of metal alloy, type of porcelain to be used, and choice of margin and pontic design for the prosthesis. Information obtained from the responding laboratories included effectiveness of work authorization forms. There were some similar trends indicated by the large percentage of dental laboratories agreeing on lack of communication by the dentists as reflected by the work authorization forms.