How to choose an overseas lab?

Outsourcing is beneficial to your practice when you do it right.

When you make informed choices you can save on your lab work but receive parallel quality!

What to look for when choosing an overseas lab?

• Quality Control System.

Any Quality Management System (e.g. ISO) requires adherence to its stringent standards as well as annual audits from external auditors that insure the use and compliance. This decreases the risk that the doctor has to take when picking an overseas lab and also puts in place quality management systems to maintain consistency in quality. Pick the lab that has all the processes in place.

• Licensing and Regulations.

When deciding to use a laboratory that outsources, your expectations and the regulations they follow should be to the same standard or higher than your local laboratory. Outsourcing laboratories are not required to hold any type of regulatory licensing. Yet, voluntarily licensing show dedication to insure that you are receiving genuine parts, approved by Health Canada alloys and materials. Any laboratory that is licensed can provide you with a copy, remember to ask!

• Communication and transparency.

The number one factor that goes into a successful doctor-laboratory partnership is communication and transparency. When picking an overseas lab, insure that they have local partner lab that will train them on Canadian standards (e.g. occlusals) and help them interpret any other information to insure the expected quality. If you are worried about matching your patients:

“Digital photography has made communication with lab technicians a piece of cake. Nothing is left to the imagination. Whether using something simple like the new Kodak P712 system or something more sophisticated like a Canon 30D camera, we are now able to provide something that will make the technician think he or she is sitting across from a patient. Dr. David Block http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-97/issue-4/columns/the-dalin-exchange/david-block-discusses-the-role-of-lab-technicians.html.

• Turnaround time.

Carefully choose the cases you send to an outsourcing lab - do not send rush cases. Allow two weeks before scheduling your patient’s appointment. Choose a lab with a local partner lab to decrease the time required for quick re-shades and adjustments.