Abstract:
Dental technicians who regularly receive poor quality impressions
and records are often faced with professional
and ethical concerns as to how to handle the situation.
They may choose to complete the task to the best of
their abilities. Other options are to alter the casts to try
to improve the situation and then complete the prescription,
contact the dentist and discuss the issue, contact
the patient, contact the medical aid, report the practitioner
to the HPCSA, or refuse to do the work.
Their latter actions have potentially negative implications
for them, and will certainly sour working relationships.
At worst, they may lose the dentist’s support. This paper
explores ways in which dentists and techniciains can foster
collegial and mutually beneficial relationships from early
on in their careers. This will not only promote better communication,
and improve the quality of work produced
by them, but it will also serve the best interests of their
patients and the profession as a whole.
