as we finished up an anterior live patient program, lab communication was the theme of the week. At the first session we spent a half day discussing lab communication, with the intent to make sure we as the dentists send all the necessary records and communication so the lab can return their very best work to us in a way that fits our expectations.
One of the cases was sent with just such precision, and the doctor called the technician and explained what was being sent. With all of this the finished case did not live up to the doctor’s expectations. So what went wrong? I can’t answer this without speculation, but it does make me re-examine what we can do to optimize the doctor-technician relationship.
The first change I can make is to approach the conversation collaboratively. Instead of sending records I think are important, I ask my technician what he/she needs to accomplish the outcome I desire. Then we have an opportunity to discuss why we would or would not use certain records or information, and more importantly how we each see these things being used. At the heart of this discussion may lie basic similarities or differences in the outcomes we strive for, our philosophies, and the opportunity to create exceptional results together for our patients.
