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Essentially, problems in restorative dentistry arise when the necessary preprosthetic procedures that will ensure
success are not treatment planned. Restorative dentists should become familiar with all procedures that their
specialist colleagues offer: then these procedures will be incorporated into the patient's treatment plan and the
necessary referrals made.
The key is to build a team of like-minded, dedicated professionals who share a common goal of providing optimum
oral healthcare to patients. This article explores a step-by-step process for creating and developing the
interdisciplinary team.
1. Reshaping
2. Repositioning (orthodontics)
3. Restoring
4. Repositioning bone (orthognathic)
It is important to look at these options in order. Orthodontics should always be considered prior to restorative
dentistry.
Early in the process, the team should decide what each member requires to make a diagnosis. Who will take the film
if cone-beam computed tomography is needed for evaluating a TMJ or bone quantity/quality prior to implant
placement? Which articulator system will be used? Who should duplicate models or provide multiple pours of a
polyvinyl siloxane impression to prevent retakes? If this is decided in advance, the patient experiences a seamless,
congruent course of treatment.
7. Meet regularly
Although challenging because of busy schedules, regular meetings of the interdisciplinary team are essential. This
author's team meets once a month immediately after work, typically for 2 hours. The key is to maintain a regular
schedule, have office staff help coordinate-and commit to meeting.
While it may be tempting to turn this monthly meeting into a "study club" to which other dentists are invited, this
author strongly recommends maintaining focus only on the patient cases that the team is evaluating, which will
strengthen the relationship between the professionals.
8. Make it fun
Working with like-minded colleagues is more rewarding and engaging than functioning alone. When interdisciplinary
care is indicated, the outcomes are often improved. Along with the team's regular monthly meetings, taking continuing
education courses together and meeting socially will create camaraderie. The most successful teams have mutual
respect and concern for each other-and patients can sense this. Congruency and respect will naturally lead to
increased case acceptance, better patient care, and healthier practices for each member.
The Dawson Academy's Interdisciplinary Treatment Planning class for 2011 is designed for students to invite their
orthodontist, surgeon, and periodontist to solidify these relationships. The 3-day program will include hard work
pursuing a common path of excellence, while providing an enjoyable environment to create lifelong relationships.
9. Celebrate success
One of the more difficult aspects of interdisciplinary treatment plans is the time required to complete these cases.
Often, the process may require 2 to 3 years for a patient who receives orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, dental
implants, and restorative dentistry. Because the restorative dentist often takes both the initial and postoperative
photographs and records, a system must be created to share this information with the specialists involved.
If it is following the protocol recommended in this article, the team should meet regularly, and the scrutiny of cases
that are being completed will be a standard item on the monthly agenda. For any specialist who does not have a
long-term relationship with these patients, this step is extremely important. Frequently, these professionals will only
see the result in the middle of an interdisciplinary plan. Seeing the philosophy in action becomes a great motivator for
each dentist. Celebrating a job well done creates the energy that will take the team to the next level.
Conclusion
As dental professionals, we are practicing in very interesting times. The aging baby boomer population is predicted to
live longer than previous generations, while also retaining a greater number of natural teeth. In addition, this group is
spending billions of dollars on appearance-related issues. These factors are resulting in more complex dental cases.
No longer can the restorative dentist work in isolation in the pursuit of optimum care. Establishing relationships with
like-minded specialists is imperative for success in today's competitive marketplace.
Patients are well educated and have high expectations in regard to their care. With the economic downturn, these
same patients are looking for ways to segment their dentistry, sacrificing time but not quality. Interdisciplinary
planning often results in less dentistry and a superior result. Because treatment is phased, patients can spread out
the costs. While this may initially appear to lower the restorative dentist's income, successful outcomes lead to
satisfied patients, which results in increased referrals. This win-win approach to patient care requires time and
commitment, but this author believes it is the only way to practice.
Refernce : http://www.dentalaegis.com/special-issues/Dawson/2010/10/ten-steps-to-creating-the-interdisciplinary-
team