When I was a practicing orthodontist, I realized the importance of effective communication with my laboratory. The lab is integral to dentistry — from fulfilling the clinician’s plan to providing materials for the individualized needs of the patient. The dental lab should have a partnership rather than vendor-type relationship with the dentist. According to the…
If one were to ask almost any laboratory owner what one of their biggest challenges is, the answer would likely revolve around finding, and keeping, good employees. Even laboratories that are open to hiring those new to the industry and training are still struggling to just find people. This employment gap, however, is not unique…
By: Bennett Napier, CAE For most people, at some point in our lives we will use the services of a licensed dentist. This blog is intended to help you determine the right dentist for your needs. It’s important for patients to know the alphabet soup of designations and specialties within dentistry. The DDS (Doctor of…
Winning Dentist and Dental Laboratory Communication By: Sean Siegel I enjoy the distinction of being a second generation dental laboratory owner. I grew up around the dental laboratory, watching my Dad make teeth, visit with doctors on the phone and run a business all at the same time. For me, my professional…
What Do Patients Need to Know? By: Bennett Napier, CAE Dentistry from a health care perspective is regulated in two ways, but as it relates to patient interest, the primary focus in this blog will be on the state perspective, as this is where the practice of dentistry is regulated. On the federal side, it’s…
By: Elvis Dahl Before I started working in the dental laboratory industry, I had no idea how restorations got made or who made them. It’s hard to imagine that something I am incredibly passionate about today did not even register on my radar back then. I have always gone to the dentist on a regular…
We are a larger orthodontic laboratory and use only the best materials that we can find. We follow the Food and Drug Administration Good Manufacturing Processes (FDA GMP) requirements and we are also ISO 13485 certified. As a patient, it is important for you to know about the standards and requirements that dental laboratories have…
By: Mark T. Murphy, DDS, FAGD With apologies to President Abraham Lincoln. “Three score and two years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new concept called dental insurance, conceived from the medical model, and dedicated to the proposition that all should have access to quality dental care” …oops! Dental “insurance”, once intended…
By. William R. Mrazek B.Sc., CDT The following information is designed to educate the technician, dentist, and dental assistant in the accuracy, predictability, and efficiency of the VITA 3D-Master Shade system. I have included a list of recommendations for shade taking technique to help reduce the variables and increase the accuracy and predictability of the shade…
Use of the CDT codes In Your Dental Practice By Dennis Lanier, CDT The codes that I am talking about are the Current Dental Terminology codes that dental practices use to document their services and lead to faster reimbursement from insurance companies. It is also important to use the most current CDT/CPT/ICD-10-CM code combinations, when…