If you own or operate a dental practice, you already know that clearly communicating your patients’ needs with the dental lab is essential for providing quality care. But how do you go about opening those lines of dialogue? Thankfully, fostering communication with the lab is straightforward enough if you keep a few key strategies in mind. 

Why Communication Between Practices & Labs Matters 

When practices and labs fail to communicate, it’s the patients who end up suffering. Maybe the practice doesn’t explain their needs adequately, or the lab doesn’t reach out to clarify a discrepancy. In both cases, the patient receives substandard care and ill-fitting prosthetics. And when they need additional dental work, you can be sure they’ll take their business elsewhere, threatening the longevity of both your practice and the lab. When dentists and technicians communicate reliably with each other, both businesses thrive.

How to Communicate Better With Your Dental Lab 

The best communication is detailed, frequent, and in writing. When ordering a prosthetic, for example, make sure to include all relevant molds, x-ray images, and medical records that the lab requires. You should also state the device’s preferred material, which means communication with patients is also key. Before they can select a material (when multiple options are available), patients must understand the pros, cons, and costs of each. Following up with patients who have received devices provides helpful feedback for you and also for the lab.

When to Reach Out to the Lab

As for frequency, it’s wise to schedule a monthly check-in during which you go over recent cases. Confirm that the impressions you’ve been sending are detailed enough and that you’re still providing everything the lab needs to continue producing quality products. Naturally, you should also contact the lab when specific issues arise in addition to periodic check-ins. And while the occasional phone call may be necessary to address minor concerns, it’s typically best to send over everything in writing. This helps mitigate misunderstandings and ensures the lab can refer to each request’s specifications repeatedly throughout the project as needed. 

If you’re looking for a dental lab that will support your efforts to provide consistent, quality care, turn to Aloha Dental Laboratory. Based in Aiea, HI, this family-owned and operated lab offers cosmetic and restorative solutions. Since 1968, practices have relied on them for all their patients’ needs, including dentures, implants, crowns, and bridges. They even offer same-day repairs and relines so patients don’t have to wait. To explore all the services they provide, visit their website. To request an appointment to discuss your needs, call (808) 947-2877.