Specifications provided by practitioners for fabrication of removable acrylic prostheses in Tanzania

This study aimed at determining the standard of communication between practitioners and dental laboratory technicians in fabrication of removable acrylic prosthetic appliances using written prescriptions. Three hundred and seventy-nine prescriptions submitted to the Dental Laboratory of Muhimbili National Hospital (January 1998-May 2004) were assessed for their instructive quality. Only specifications necessary for the fabrication of a removable acrylic prosthesis were considered. Analysis was according to type of appliances and indicated specifications by practitioners. EPI 6 was used with chi-square test for statistical analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. All 379 prescriptions had designation of practitioner and type of appliance indicated and most were authorized by doctors (67%; n = 254) and for partial dentures (86.5%; n = 328). The majority of the complete dentures (13.5%; n = 51) were authorized by students (49%; n = 25) in comparison with partial dentures (86.5%; n = 328) that were authorized mainly by doctors (71.9%; n = 236). Teeth required (83.4%; n = 316) was the most indicated specification and interns were the most instructive of practitioners. For complete dentures, the only significantly indicated specification was appointment date for occlusal registration. The most significantly indicated specifications for partial dentures was teeth required followed by appointment date for fitting, shade, claSPS and secondary impression. The standards of communication between practitioners and dental laboratory technicians in the fabrication of removable acrylic prostheses are generally inadequate as most required specifications were not indicated by practitioners. Work undertaken by technicians should be accompanied by a detailed written prescription, completion of work authorization be included in the curriculum and Dental Laboratory Vouchers in use be evaluated.