Alistair Mayoh: Marketing Director Kemdent
There are so many moving parts in the daily running of a dental laboratory that need to progress smoothly for optimal output. External regulations and guidance must be met, and in-house policies implemented to make everyday life easier and more uniform – there is plenty to keep on top of.
Clearly defining these workflows helps new technicians joining the laboratory, as well as existing staff in their roles. Not only can each individual have a straightforward point of reference for industry standards (helpful if they are new to dental laboratories as a whole), but they will be able to identify and co-opt internal processes too.
Laboratory staff should clearly set out workflows that can be understood by new members of the team, and anyone else who may need to access them. It is then important to disperse this information amongst team members. With these in place, dental laboratories can focus on implementing high-quality materials and techniques for the best possible output.
Establishing good practice
There are many aspects of dental laboratory work that require procedures to be set in stone. The laboratory waste workflow is one example; by following Health Technical Memorandum 07-01, laboratory technicians can ensure their safety and reduce risk of infection.[i]
Other forms of regulation will come with the safe use of materials and solutions within the laboratory. Take the process of creating a denture base with modelling wax as an example. Laboratory technicians may have experience with different types of wax, crafting a final result with the skills they learnt in their training and those developed over time.
If a laboratory uses a preferred modelling wax, knowing that it offers advantages for preliminary denture base creation – technicians may have good feedback from dentists, or recognise an improved quality of work – it is wise to establish a clear process for use that can help future technicians continue the great work. This would ensure that the items created are of a consistently high-quality, and dentists will continue to turn to the laboratory for future solutions.
Clearly laid out workflows may state when different types of modelling wax are used, or how they are stored to avoid damage. For new dental technicians, each described step will help them carry out their work simply and efficiently, speeding up item production and developing independence and confidence in their work.
Prosthodontics is a demanding and complex field that requires knowledgeable and experienced dental technicians.[ii] Where individuals are new to laboratory work entirely, clearly defined workflows will help them catch up to speed and produce new restorations successfully
Letting people know
A 2016 study[iii] looked into dental technician students and their opinions on information communicated throughout the laboratory. The elements that ranked highest for satisfaction regarding the quality and quantity of information were those that you would most expect to be valued by technicians new to the profession. They included:
- Details about the requirements of their workflows.
- The timeliness of the information.
- The usefulness and interesting nature of the information.
Clearly detailed tasks ensure good organisation of the working process, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts, and information that is useful and interesting is obviously paramount to those still developing their skills.
In-person conversations about these subjects are key. It may be sensible to set aside time to discuss workflows in detail, ensuring new members of the team understand what is needed of them in each scenario, with an opportunity to ask questions. This also allows for the development of mutual trust within the team, which can affect the final outcome.iii
Reminders at points of use are also be effective. These may be in the form of posters on the wall, or notes that can be referenced in an accessible manual or guide.
Solutions on hand
To ensure the best results whilst taking on new technicians, dental laboratories should prioritise using high-quality materials that are straightforward to use, and implement them as part of clearly defined workflows. Solutions like those available from Kemdent, a leading provider of dental laboratory products that are made in Britain, ensure workflows can be easily adopted for exceptional outcomes.
Anutex, Kemdent’s most popular European wax, has excellent handling qualities with a brilliant finish after gentle flaming for top-tier work. It can soften without becoming flaky or crumbly, which is ideal for new technicians looking to create exceptional preliminary denture bases with minimal complication. Anutex is part of a larger range of modelling waxes, with different qualities to adapt to your needs, that still fit into straightforward workflows.
Clearly established workflows require reliable dental laboratory materials, and communication amongst the team. Discussing key points with new technicians, and giving them access to effective materials can ensure dental laboratories produce their best work.
For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256
[i] NHS England, (2022). Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe and sustainable management of healthcare waste. (Online) Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/B2159iii-health-technical-memorandum-07-01.pdf [Accessed April 2025]
[ii] Joda, T., & Zitzmann, N. U. (2022). Personalized workflows in reconstructive dentistry—Current possibilities and future opportunities. Clinical Oral Investigations, 26(6), 4283-4290.
[iii] Milev, M., Kostadinova, T., Borisova, S., & Georgieva, E. (2016). AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’OPINION REGARDING THE COMMUNICATION AT THE DENTAL LABORATORY. World science, 3(6 (10)), 17-20.
