title: An audit of dental prescriptions between clinics and dental laboratories.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discover the quality of written instructions from dentists to dental technicians and the nature of non-compliant prescriptions.
  
  
  METHODS
  An audit of laboratory prescription compliance was conducted within an NHS Trust Dental Teaching Hospital to determine the level of communication between dentists and dental technicians. One hundred and fifty prescriptions were audited from dental undergraduates and qualified dentists throughout the different departments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of two-thirds of prescriptions were considered non-compliant and failed to meet relevant ethical and legal guidelines. This problem was seen throughout all departments and at all professional levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A breakdown in communication between dentists and technicians through the use of prescriptions is evident even within a close working environment.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, University Dental Hospital, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY. ceri_stewart@hotmail.co.uk
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D019230:Dental Audit; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000592:standards*; D003800:Dental Technicians; D003815:Dentists; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations / Q000941:ethics; D008875:Middle Aged; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design / Q000592:standards; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom