The relationship between dentists and dental laboratories--predictions for the future.

This article provides an overview of the key market changes that are impacting the day-to-day relationship between dentists and dental laboratories and technicians. There are a variety of factors that facilitate the need for broader communication between dentists and dental technicians.

The dental team--PCDs. Where are we now?

Professionals Complementary to Dentistry (PCDs) have varying roles within the dental team, from chairside assisting to the actual provision of clinical treatment. These tasks are closely proscribed at present, but this may change in the future. The modernization of dentistry, the introduction of registration for PCDs, the introduction of workforce development confederations responsible for funding and commissioning training of dentists and PCDs, and a workforce review looking at the whole dental team will all impact upon the working lives of dentists and their teams. These current changes represent an opportunity to improve the functioning and composition of the dental team, which should not be missed.

Dental technicians: regulation and quality assurance.

For many years, dental technicians were largely self-regulated and left to work without any undue interference from, or legislation by, outside authorities. This situation has changed somewhat dramatically in recent years, primarily as a result of a) mandatory General Dental Council (GDC) registration of UK-based dental technicians and b) the requirement to comply with certain EC directives governing the provision of dental appliances. There seems to be some confusion, however, about these various changes and the ensuing ramifications for dental practitioners. The purpose of this paper is firstly to clarify the various regulatory issues currently surrounding technician registration and the provision of laboratory work ('Made in Britain' or otherwise) and secondly to explore the various internationally-recognised quality assurance standards that can be applied to the production of such work in order to assist dentists in gauging quality-related claims made by dental laboratories, both in the UK and overseas.

The GDC - lifting the lid. Part 5: illegal practice.

In its primary role of protecting the public the General Dental Council has many tools at its disposal, one of which is pursing those who seek to practise dentistry illegally. Such illegal practice takes several different forms: dentists who have been erased or removed from the register but continue to practise, unregistered dental technicians who practise dentistry, and beauty salons that offer tooth whitening. Consequently a variety of approaches is required in order to apprehend the miscreant and persuade, prevent and even prosecute them in the process of stopping their illegal activities. The fifth and final part of our series on the GDC discusses the modus operandi of the legal department's work in this important area.

The future for removable prosthodontics in the UK--a personal opinion.

In allowing Clinical Dental Technicians (CDTs) to practise complete denture prosthodontics independently the General Dental Council (GDC) has set a dangerous precedent that could threaten the future integrity of the 'dental team'. In bemoaning the decline in standards for undergraduate teaching of removable prosthodontics the academic specialists, and the BSSPD, only have themselves to blame. It can only be hoped that, once established, Clinical Dental Technicians will raise the woefully low standard of removable prosthodontics in the UK.

Professional development for dental technicians; a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of dental technicians in the North of England. SUBJECTS: Thirty-nine commercial laboratories with postal addresses in the North of England and 32 dental technicians working within NHS hospitals, community dental laboratories and a university dental school. DESIGN: Structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. RESULTS: A 44% response rate was achieved following two mailings to commercial laboratories. A 91% response rate was achieved from technicians working within the NHS sector and university dental school. Those who responded were in overall agreement about the proposed introduction of a CPD policy for dental technicians. A minority expressed concerns regarding the constraints of cost, time and access. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted a number of potential problems regarding the introduction of a CPD policy for dental technicians. To work it would need to meet the needs of the technician and the employer. It would also need to be flexible, practical and financially viable.

Activity and education of clinical dental technicians: a UK survey.

AIMS: This survey aimed to determine the clinical activity of clinical dental technicians (CDTs) in the UK and to establish their employment status, views of statutory registration and need for further education. Until 2006, this practise was illegal in the UK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to 128 members of the Clinical Dental Technicians' Association (CDTA) who had agreed to participate in this study. Analysis was conducted using standard non-parametric statistical tests and quantitative techniques. RESULTS: A response rate of 54% was achieved. Qualifications in clinical dental technology from George Brown College, Toronto, Canada were held by 68%, with 16% currently undergoing training and 16% neither qualified nor in training. The majority (90%) owned a laboratory with 61% stating they had between one and four dental surgeries on site. CDTs with Canadian qualifications tended to provide a wider range of procedures, coupled with patient lists and recall systems, compared to those not so qualified. Eighty-one percent welcomed the prospect of statutory registration with 82% indicating that it would enhance their professional profile. CONCLUSIONS: This small but significant survey gives some insight of the work which has been undertaken by CDTs for many years, albeit illegally. With appropriate training and education, and consequent GDC registration, CDTs will be in a position to make a positive contribution to the clinical care of patients.

[The dentist, the dental assistant and the dental hygienist within the European Community]. / Le dentiste, le technicien dentaire et l'hygiéniste dentaire dans la communauté européenne.

The European Community dimension of the dental profession is a many faceted issue, raising a number of questions at different levels. A difficulty is hereby posed by the fact that a number of distinct demarcation-lines are at stake. These will determine the applicable legal rules to be found in the EEC-Treaty and/or in secondary Community legislation (regulations, directives). Distinct rules apply depending on whether one is dealing with workers or self-employed persons; with the freedom to provide services (on a temporary basis) or the right of (permanent) establishment and finally depending on which profession is being looked at. At the same time the resulting divisions cannot be considered in an isolated way, for they have a bearing on one another. For analytical purposes the profession-distinction will be taken as main frame of reference, so that three sections will deal with resp. dentists, dental technicians and dental hygienists. Within each of these, the other distinctions will be dealt with where appropriate. Before proceeding to the actual analysis, some final preliminary observations must be made.

Certification of the dental technician and dental laboratory: issues affecting the dental technology field.

Board certification in any health care-related area is one mechanism that promotes high standards of practice and assures public confidence. Certification eligibility and requirements for dental technicians and laboratories are reviewed. Issues affecting the future of dental technology are discussed.