NADL Media Room

Questions Patients should Ask their Dentists

• Does your laboratory employ Certified Dental Technicians?




Preferred Answer:    Certified Dental Technician (CDT) is the recognized designation for dental technicians who meet a uniform standard of textbook knowledge and applied skill in dental technology. The Certified Dental Technician is the only program for dental technicians recognized by the American Dental Association. Technicians who hold the CDT designation take 12 hours of continuing education annually to ensure that the dental restoration your dentist receives and are ultimately used by the dental patient are of the highest quality and meet the patient's needs.

• Is your Laboratory a Certified Dental Laboratory?




Preferred Answer:   Commercial dental laboratories are largely unregulated in the United States. However, through voluntary certification, laboratories can become certified. Certified Dental Laboratories (CDL), just like individual technicians, have met a uniform standard for health and safety processes within their laboratory. One of the requirements of the CDL program is that the laboratory must employ a Certified Dental Technician in each department of the laboratory.

• What Materials are going to be Used in my Restoration?




Preferred Answer:   Laboratories maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on each material used in their laboratory. The materials used in dental laboratories that are used in the manufacture of dental restorations are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some dental patients may have allergies to certain types of materials. Ask your dentist to review the materials used in your restoration to determine if you are prone to any allergies from certain types of dental alloys or metals.

• What Infection Control Procedures does your Laboratory Follow?




Preferred Answer:   With today's environment of infectious diseases changing rapidly, its important to understand the importance of infection control in the dental setting. Dental Laboratories must comply with federal OSHA standards on infection control including standards regarding blood borne pathogens. Proper infection control must take place both in the dental office and the dental laboratory to ensure that the restoration placed in the patient's mouth is free from bacteria. Certified Dental Technicians are required to receive training in proper infection control procedures every year.

For additional information, contact:
National Association of Dental Laboratories
Bennett E. Napier, CAE, Executive Director
325 John Knox Rd #L103
Tallahassee, FL 32303
phone: (800) 950-1150
fax: (850) 222-0053
email: bennett@nadl.org
website: www.nadl.org