A new campaign has highlighted the lack of regulations and certification of dental laboratories in America. Compared to the stringent standards and laws governing dental laboratories in the UK, it seems going abroad for dental work, even to
such developed and patient-centred countries as the USA, could have severe
consequences.
An estimated 38 per cent of dental laboratory restorations are imported in America, including crowns, bridges, veneers and partial and complete dentures. Whether made in the US or outsourced to other countries such as China or the Philippines, poorly made dental restorations can lead to a range of health consequences for patients and in turn, legal consequences for dentists.
Dental laboratories outside of the UK may well produce work of an entirely acceptable standard, however compared to the UK there is likely to be fewer, or no checks on standards or materials. In a bid to save money, a number of smaller dental labs may send work abroad where cheaper materials are often used. Dentists will rarely know or have any way of knowing what is going into these restorations, therefore maintaining transparent channels of communication with the lab is essential.
Patients have a right to know what is going in their mouths. The innovative ‘What’s in Your Mouth?’ campaign launched by the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) aims to promote transparency in dentistry and provide dental consumers, dentists and the dental lab industry with the knowledge they need to make important purchasing decisions.
Increasing communication and public awareness worldwide is crucial to ensure dentists and patients fully understand where their dental restorations are coming from and what materials are used in the process.
Dentists should ask laboratories about the origin of the restorations and materials used and take extra steps in order to establish clarity in the dentist-lab-patient relationship. Increasing transparency will help to establish confidence in the service and products dental labs provide, ultimately influencing the overall quality of restoration the patient receives.
Although there are legal requirements in Britain to ensure labs and technicians are certified, dentists are still recommended to check that the lab and technicians they work with are adequately qualified and registered with the necessary organisations. Currently, any dental technician found to be working without GDC registration will be committing a criminal offence and could leave themselves open to prosecution. The employing laboratory owner might also face similar proceedings, together with disciplinary action from the GDC.
Equally, if UK dental laboratories decide to forward work to a third party either within the UK or overseas, the GDC states that the responsibility for that work still remains with the laboratory. If the work were subsequently proved unsatisfactory for any reason, the laboratory subcontracting would be held accountable. Furthermore, it is a legal requirement to supply patients with a statement of manufacture for any device made such as crowns, bridges and dentures to help ensure safe and quality products. Dentists are encouraged to ask labs questions regarding the materials used and where the work is performed to help establish transparency. Otherwise, by putting their blind trust in labs without establishing a relationship first, dentists run the risk of receiving products that are of a reduced quality.
Increased awareness amongst the profession, and consequently consumer education about dental laboratories and the restorations they produce, can be achieved by inspecting the lab’s facilities and building up a relationship with the staff. It is important to have open communication so that the dentist and lab can work together and achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.
Working with a dental lab you can trust and building a strong relationship is fundamental for success. After all, dentists and labs are part of a team working together to provide firstclass patient care.
References available on request.