title: A review of preweighed, packaged die stone versus bulk die stone use in a dental school.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared the quantity of preweighed, packaged die stone use to bulk die stone use by dental students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Starting in September 1994, all the bulk die stone was removed from the dental clinic, and only preweighed packages of die stone (Silky-Rock, Whip Mix) were available to students. At the end of August 1995 and August 1997, the amount of preweighed die stone used by the students was determined and compared with the amount of bulk die stone (DieKeen, Modern Materials) used during the period of September 1993 to August 1994.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between September 1994 and August 1997, the students used 42% less per annum of the preweighed, packaged die stone than the previous annual use of bulk die stone. The laboratories were much cleaner when the preweighed packages were used, and fewer cleaning staff were required. The environment was also cleaner for the laboratory staff, who used to fill the bulk containers with gypsum products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students used 42% less die stone per annum when using the preweighed packages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bannerman
mesh_terms: D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D002170:Canada; D018961:Educational Technology; D003765:Models, Dental; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education*; D012575:Schools, Dental
chemical_list: D002133:Calcium Sulfate