title: Quality of prescription and fabrication of single-unit crowns by general dental practitioners in Wales.
abstract: The aim of this investigation was to describe the quality of prescription and fabrication of single-unit crowns by general dental practitioners in Wales. One hundred pre-piloted questionnaires were distributed to commercial laboratories in Wales with large catchment areas, and 20 pre-piloted questionnaires were distributed to the production laboratory at the Cardiff Dental Hospital. Information was collected relating to the quality of prescription and master impressions for single-unit crowns. One hundred and seven completed questionnaires were returned (response rate = 89%). Sixty per cent (n = 64) of questionnaires related to single-unit crowns being made in general practice under private funding arrangements, 30% (n = 32) were being made in general dental practice under National Health Service (public) funding arrangements and 10% (n = 11) were collected from the Dental Hospital. Polyvinylsiloxane impression material was used to record the master impression in all cases (n = 107). Plastic stock trays were used to make the master impression in 79% of cases (n = 85), metal stock trays were used in 19% of cases (n = 20) and special trays were used in 2% of cases (n = 2). Eighty-five per cent (n = 91) of master casts were considered to be adequate for crown fabrication. Less than 50% of written instructions (n = 52) were considered 'clear' and of sufficient detail to adequately specify the planned crown. In 21% of cases (n = 22), the technician had to contact the dentist for clarification of the design prior to making the crown. While the quality of impression making for single-unit crowns was of a reasonable standard, the quality of the accompanying written communication was poor and more than one-half of written instructions examined failed to meet the requirements of the European Union Medical Devices Directive.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: A S M
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gilmour
mesh_terms: D003442:Crowns; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000592:standards; D003800:Dental Technicians; D004203:Disinfection; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales