What is the secret to developing a good relationship with a dental laboratory?


Although dentists often gripe about labs, honestly the labs in private are probably griping about us as well. Mutual animosity is not good for our relationship. A better way is to be free to have a "honest" dialog between us and our laboratories. They should be free to explain what they need to create successful restorations and we need to be free to explain how we like our work to be done. All of us should have mutual respect for each other. It certainly helps if we are paying our lab a decent fee for  restorations as well. No one likes to knock themselves out for very little money. Paying  vendors a "living wage" is part of the process of showing respect. On the other hand our labs must not just "talk the talk" but actually "walk the walk"! If we request quality restorations and are paying for that type of restoration (and we are giving them what they need), then they need to deliver a quality restoration.

That being said, we dentists don't always give the dental lab what they need to fabricate their best restoration; a clean preparation with enough reduction (removal of sufficient tooth) and a clear impression that captures our entire preparation. Our failure to do so can play a part in our lab's failure to create their own quality restorations.

This is not only an issue with  "not giving them what they need", since when we fail to do so we  also are not setting a good example as a team leader. If we do not show them high quality work , what kind of example are we setting?  It sends a message to them that since we don't really require the highest quality work of ourselves, than why should they struggle with the effort needed to provide us with their highest quality restorations.

Now I am the first to admit that sometimes the quality of dental work can vary from procedure to procedure and in the real world, sometimes I am forced to accept a grade of only a B for a piece of my work . After all imperfection is part of the human condition but in general I  aim high. If I am striving for an "A", I am more likely to achieve a high level result than if I am striving for a "B" .  Attempting "good enough" sometimes lends up with "barely acceptable". The same principal holds true of our lab technicians a work.

I believe that most people when given the chance and opportunity to do so, will try to deliver their best work. No one  really wants to be doing "bad work"and its demoralizing to be doing so. Let's all of us work together to help elevate our profession and be the role modes that our laboratories need. We should all recognize that in life often the saying " nothing easy is worthwhile and nothing worthwhile is easy." often applies and it is our struggle to succeed and help make "order out of chaos" that helps make life worthwhile.





from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://ift.tt/2qA6nQx - http://ift.tt/1SpPbm6

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