OSC17: Removable Prosthodontic Workload of Dental Technologists in Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA: A Clinical Audit

Abstract

Aim: This clinical audit was aimed to assess the workload of dental technologists based in Removable Prosthodontic Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective clinical audit was carried out from 1st January 2016 until 31st December 2017 using data derived from monthly returns of the dental technologists. Data regarding removable prosthodontic cases of all modes and their teaching and learning (T&L) activities were systematically extracted. Data were tabulated and descriptive analysis was performed.

Results: There was a two-fold increase in total of removable prosthodontic cases from 2016 to 2017. Maxillofacial prosthodontic cases increased markedly followed by complete denture cases. Double increment of special tray works, cobalt-chromium partial denture cases and denture repair works were also observed. On average a dental technologist attended 9 cases per month in 2016 and increased to 14 cases in the following year. Although there was a newly recruited dental technologist in 2017, the workload still escalated. For T&L, they were involved in performing demonstration, aboratory work supervision and fabricating training models which comprises around 32% (50 hours) of their working hours per month.

Conclusion: The workload of a dental technologist was increased 68% from year 2016 to 2017. However, the T&L workload remains constant for both years.