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SOLUTIONS TO THE
DENTAL TECHNOLOGIST
SCHISM
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By Gordon J. Christiansen, DDS, MSD, PhD
Prosthodontists., Prove, UT, Director, Practical Clinical Courses; Co-founder & Sr.
Consultant, Clinical Research Associates; Adjunct Prof:, Brigham Young Univ; Adjunct
Prof., Univ of Utah.
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"I indicate my opinions on the current state of dental/technologist
relationship and make suggestions for reforming and improving their
communication". |
For 40 years I have observed the evolution of the dentist/laboratory relationship. These came from my
personal experience as a laboratory technologist in dental school, in my
practice of all phases of prosthodontic, and as an international lecture
speaking to thousands of practitioners and technologist yearly. In my
following statements I indicate my opinions on the current state of
dental/technologist relationship, and make suggestions for reforming and
improving their communication. I see several categories in which to
optimize the interaction between them.
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"Significant new concepts arose
over the past few years including implants, aesthetic dentistry,
endodontic procedures and many new
surgical and periodontal techniques".
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Dental Education: Simply there is too much information to teach dental
students in time available to them in
'02. Significant new concepts arose over the past few years including
implants, aesthetic dentistry, endodontic procedures and many new
surgical and periodontal techniques. The meager time allotted to students
for technology has been reduced
even further than in prior years. At least a return of an introduction to |
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technology should be reincluded.
Further, recruitment of a qualified
practicing dental technologist, general dentists and Prosthodontists to
assume part-time teaching positions
in dental schools. Those concepts a student learns at school, stay with
them into their professional lives. If a student does not know how to work
with technologists when they graduate, habit patterns are already set,
and years are required to change their behavior.
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"Dental technologists need more status and recognition. CDT
designation should be further enhanced and promoted to technologists, dentists and
the public"
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Dental Technology Education:
It is well known that the level of education for dental technologists could
be improved and expanded. Both students of dentistry and dental technologists should interact
clinically while at school, and leaders from the two professions decide
together what subjects should be taught in the respective curricula.
Similar to dental schools, I believe qualified part-time dentists and
dental technologists should be teaching in dental technology
schools.
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"I believe qualified part-time dentists and
dental technologists should be teaching in dental technology schools"
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The Certified Dental Technician:
Dental technologists need more
status and recognition. CDT designation should be further enhanced
and promoted to technologists, dentists and the public, along with
education for dental students about the meaning of CDT designation.
Recruitment of Technologist
Students: More young people need to be recruited into the dental technologist profession. Significant
effort is needed to achieve this, and attract talented students into the
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profession. It could include planned programs on high school "Career
Days" as well as active solicitation of
practicing technologists to recruit students. Joint Education for Dentists and
Technologists: The most effective continuing education [CE] courses in
which I have participated included both Dentists and Technologists.
There are CE programs that encourage attendance by both.
Manufacturers, schools, dental societies, lab associations and other professional
groups sponsor these. Included are
treatment planning and treatment and result in better understanding
between both factions as well as higher quality therapy. Remember, a
understanding of the working and procedures of both groups add up to
a broad and full understanding by both dentists and technologist of all
facets of the "finished product" and
how it was achieved at both levels. New Technology: New concepts such CAD/CAM technology or
implant dentistry -- both experiencing unbelievable growth - are ideal
subjects for clinics to solicit interest and participation of both
technologists and dentists. These concepts should be used as the
catalysts to motivate both to learn together.
Conclusion: There is a significant challenge facing technology and
dental professions. These groups
exist with minimal to no interaction at any level. It is possible for members
of both professions to complete their
CE without significant contact with the other group. Both groups need
more interaction at school and CE courses research and in practice.
When such interaction is effected, results will be better treatment
planning and a more understanding and mutual respect between both.
Technology and dentistry make a fantastic team when they work in unison. we all need to encourage this
teamwork and put it into motion.
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