DEFINING AND EXPLAINING WHAT CONSTITUTES A "DISRUPTIVE DENTAL LABORATORY PRACTICE"

DEFINING AND EXPLAINING WHAT CONSTITUTES A "DISRUPTIVE DENTAL LABORATORY PRACTICE"

Introduction: A "disruptive dental laboratory practice" refers to a practice that is defined by current innovations in the techniques, equipment, materials and tools that define a transformative approach that disrupted the traditional methods in the practice of dental laboratory profession (Farooq, M., & Khan, S. A. 2022).. This means novel techniques are deployed in the planning, design and fabrication of dental restorations. These also disrupted equipment and software used in service delivery and the gains are numerous and they include improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the management of the laboratory activities.  

Essential disruptors are hereby listed:

1. Innovation: Innovations are product of research and sometimes long years of trials and practice (Ogunsola, 2023). Breaking new grounds characterizes innovation and most times altered permanently methodology with its attendant effective and productive patient outcomes. For dental laboratory practice it means new materials, tools, equipment, methodologies, research, education, skills and training. CAD/CAM, digitally powered lab, artificial intelligence controlled lab are a few of the innovations that has changed everything about our dental lab practice.

2. Cost-Efficiency: Cost is an important aspect of any business and the practice of any profession when service delivery is the main focus (Ogunsola, 2023). Therefore, disruptive practices should encourage automation, digital workflows and streamline laboratory techniques and methods in the fabrication of dental restorations cutting down expenses and making services within the reach of the poor member of the community.

3. Accessibility: Traditional practices present long and difficult steps for accessing dental services, and creates cog in the wheel of services delivery to the elderly and the underserved. Current technologies that disrupted dental lab practices have open the door ways for patients to access services even at the comfort of their homes. The support for physically challenged and elderly people has been enhanced by tele-dentistry another technology-based innovation (Ogunsola, 2023). It is noteworthy that collaboration among practitioners is enhanced whereby location and distance between colleagues will not deter information sharing and joint efforts in carrying out and trying out new techniques.

4. Patient-Centric Approach: Many disruptive practices prioritize patient comfort, convenience, and satisfaction (Ogunsola, 2023).  For instance, technologies that expedite the creation of dental prosthetics or restorations can reduce the time patients need to spend in the dentist's chair. A number of practices that are technology driven have reduced time and increase effectiveness of patient care. The use of computer aided design and computer aided manufacture has to an extent simplified and made collaboration for treatment planning possible. It is no news that dental lab practitioners can send a fully designed job to his colleagues in another country to manufacture and dispatch.

5. Digital Integration: The integration of digital technologies, such as 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD) (Ogunsola, 2023). and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), are but a few of the disruptor that rule our practice in the 21^st century we are in. These technologies have the capacity to reduce human errors, speed up laboratory steps and make precision of restorations easier and possible within record time.

6. Customization and Personalization: One thing that keeps dental technologists ahead of other professions in terms of job losses despite the waves of development of the diverse uses of technology is opportunities and the unavoidable need for customization of every restoration coming out of the lab (Ogunsola, 2023). Every dental patient is unique and no matter how closely related they are and their cases you continue to find difference that defines their individual characteristics. Therefore, no dental appliance made for one patient can fit the other.  

7. Collaboration: Collaboration is the new, though not too new but a word that is redefining dental practice. Dentists and their lab technologists are becoming comfortable collaborating together as technology continues to make it possible and easy (Ogunsola, 2023). Argument that ensue on where faults lie when there is problem with a restoration made by the lab is becoming less and can easily be tracked. New approaches between dental laboratories and dentists through for example digital impression being sent to the lab can now be checked and discussed before appliances are made even when distance is between two countries.  

8. Educational Training: This is gradually being entirely run online with a few physical contacts for practicing dentists and technologists (Ogunsola, 2023).. This is a disruptive practice and the gains are enormous.  

Conclusion: It's important to note that disruption in any industry can have both positive and negative implications. While disruptive dental laboratory practices can lead to advancements that benefit patients and practitioners, they might also require adjustments in terms of regulations, training, and quality control. Overall, a disruptive dental laboratory practice involves a departure from the status quo and the introduction of innovative solutions that challenge existing norms.

References:

1. Ogunsola, A. O. (2023). Disruptive dental laboratory practice: A review of the literature. Journal of Dental Technology, 41(2), 1-10.
2. Farooq, M., & Khan, S. A. (2022). Disruptive technologies in dental laboratory: A review. Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, 32(1), 1-10.
3. Gomez-Perez, M., & Calatayud-Gonzalez, P. (2021). Digital dentistry and disruptive technologies: Review of the literature. Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 33(4), 221-229.
4. Liang, X., Zhao, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). The impact of disruptive technologies on the dental laboratory industry: A systematic review. International Journal of Production Research, 59(21), 6701-6717.
5. Machado, T., & Reis, A. C. (2020). Disruptive technologies in dental laboratory: The future of dentistry. Journal of the American Dental Association, 151(12), 1217-1223.
6. Singh, A., & Singh, A. (2020). Disruptive technologies in dental laboratory: A review of the literature. Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society, 20(1), 1-10.