The Guidelines for Dentist/Dental Laboratory Relations were first established in 1987 in cooperative effort between the Illinois State Dental Society and the Illinois Dental Laboratory Association. These Guidelines are voluntary for members of both organizations and we hope they will be useful to assist dentists and laboratories in further understanding their respective responsibilities.

The Laboratory/Technician:

1. The Laboratory/Technician should fabricate dental appliances which follow the guidelines set forth in the prescription provided by the Dentist. The appliances should fit properly on the casts and mountings provided to the Dentist. Original prescriptions must be retained for 3 years. When a laboratory provides prescription forms to a dentist, the forms should contain the name of the laboratory, space for instructions, expected delivery date, patient name, signature line for the dentist, license number and other information requested by the laboratory.
2. The Laboratory/Technician should return the case to the Dentist to check the mounting if the technician has set the bite and there is any question of its accuracy or the technician questions the accuracy of the bite registrations furnished by the Dentist.
3. The Laboratory/Technician should match the shade which was described in the original instructions, within the limitations of the materials generally available to the profession. Laboratory personnel shall not engage in the removal or insertion of any appliance unless attended by the dentist.
4. The Laboratory/Technician should notify the Dentist in two (2) working days after receipt of the case, if there is a reason for not proceeding with the work. Any changes or additions to the prescription must be agreed to by the dentist and must be initialed by authorized laboratory personnel. A copy of any changes made shall be sent to the dentist upon completion of the case.
5. After acceptance of the prescription, the Laboratory/Technician should fabricate and return the appliances in a timely manner in accordance with the custom in the profession. It a prescription is not going to be accepted, the Laboratory/Technician should return the work in a timely manner and include a reason for denial.
6. The Laboratory should follow all OSHA regulations with its employees with respect to personal protective equipment and disinfection of appliances and materials. All materials should be checked for breakage and immediately reported if found.
7. The Laboratory/Technician should not be held responsible for the patient’s toxic reactions to materials that are prescribed by the Dentist, but should inform the Dentist of the materials present in the case.
8. The Laboratory/Technician should clean and disinfect (according to ADA recommendations) all incoming items for the Dentist’s office (e.g. impressions, occlusal registrations, intra-oral appliances, etc.) and these items should be cleaned and disinfected when they are returned to the Dentist. All appliances and other laboratory materials which are returned to the Dentist should be placed in an appropriate container, packed properly to prevent breakage, and transported according to current OSHA standards.
9. The Laboratory/Technician shall inform the Dentist of any subcontracting Laboratory/Technician employed for preparation of the case according to the Illinois Dental Practice Act. The Laboratory/Technician shall furnish a written order to the dental laboratory which has been engaged to perform some or all of the services on the original prescription.
10. Laboratory personnel shall not engage in the removal or insertion of any implant related case according to the Dental Practice Act. If a dentist is present, a qualified laboratory technician may assist the dentist in the placement or removal of the appliance.
11. The Laboratory/Technician shall not bill the patient directly under any circumstances. Charges made by the laboratory to the dentist are strictly confidential, and laboratory personnel should not discuss or divulge these charges to the patient.