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The spread of Vital to dental professionals involved in patient treatment is going down well with most groups involved “in-house”. But I am a little concerned that technicians working away from practices are not responding as positively as hoped. I would like to appeal to those essential members of the dental team, to wake up and smell the coffee.

Nobody is naïve enough to imagine that the relationships will change overnight but they will never change unless the technical specialist represents himself as a committed member of the patient-care team.

It is of course easier to ignore this scenario but the communication gap is increasing daily and is already of Grand-Canyon proportions. Relationships are already breaking down because the technician and clinician are not speaking the same language.

This is an intolerable situation for the patient. The law says that the clinician has the right and responsibility of prescription but are they all equipped to make the right decisions about the materials and choices which may suit the required situation?

Many are, but a growing number are not equipped to make judgements on the materials handled by technicians on a daily basis. Of course this involvement should be encouraged and supported by the clinician involved in the restorative procedure.

I would ask that the laboratory be encouraged and presented as a value added component for the patient and not just as the biggest part of the bill, which is pounced on by the annual audit! The cost of laboratory procedures should be measured by the delivery of the correct restoration to the patient.

Just like our clinical colleagues, all technicians are not of the same ability nor are they necessarily good communicators but they must be encouraged to become involved to a greater extent than many are at present.

My experience tells me that the involvement of the technician as a high profile member of the team always brings greater patient satisfaction and absolutely better outcomes for all concerned. So to my technical colleagues I would say don't just complain, make the effort to sell yourself and explain the vital role you play.

To my clinical colleagues I would say you are missing out on an opportunity to improve not just your restorative services but also the chance to gain greater confidence from your patients.

Let's work together for the improvement in our daily lives and for the higher standard that will undoubtedly be available to our patients.

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