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Once they tended to stay within their own distinct field of expertise. Now, new technological advances are seeing dentists and prosthetists working more collaboratively than ever in treatment planning. By John Burfitt
The combination of complex dental cases and growing patient expectations has seen a shift in the dental landscape, with dentists engaged in reconstructive, surgical or implant-based care working more closely with prosthetists.
It’s a trend Melbourne dental consultant Julie Parker says highlights just how far things have come since her early years in the profession when she worked as a dental nurse. “It happened all the time that we would have a situation where the dentist would ask a prosthetist for something that was just not feasible, and then the pressure was on for the dental lab to just make it work—and that was never realistic,” she says.
“Back then there was so much back and forth, and communication wasn’t always clear. The big problem was dentists and prosthetists often worked in silos, and it was harder to get things right the first time.”
These days, notes Parker, there’s a closer integration of dental prosthetists in treatment planning. This collaborative approach not only eases the burden on dentists but also delivers superior outcomes for patients.
Advances in technology have played a key role in making the process and communication easier. “I am seeing prosthetists getting involved much earlier in the process with dentists, which makes the world of difference,” she says.
Among the digital platforms Parker is seeing used widely are Core Practice, Dental4Windows and Zavy360 that support integrated scheduling, patient notes, and imaging access, enabling real-time information sharing between dental teams and prosthetists.
Tools like 3Shape and exocad also allow for digital impressions and appliance design, enabling dental professionals to co-view and collaborate on 3D models, improving accuracy and reducing turnaround times.
I’m convinced we’re about to see more use of digital workflows and AI tools that support better planning and design, and more formalised collaboration between roles. It won’t be seen as optional anymore, but just part of standard care.
Julie Parker, dental consultant
“When both parties bring their expertise to the table from the start, and the communication channels are open so each other understands what is required, it leads to better working relationships.”
Arnie Jabour of Classic Denture Studio in outer Melbourne has worked in dentistry for over 40 years, specialising in prosthetics, implantology and digital denture techniques. Today he is recognised as one of the leaders in the Australian dental prosthetic field and agrees closer relationships between dentists and prosthetists has been a long time coming.
“For many years the dental prosthetist was seen just as ‘the denture guy’,” he says. “Prosthetists have had to work hard to change this. For the best outcomes, a prosthetist must be considered as an equal part of the dental team.”
Arnie attributes this change in attitude to the different mindset of younger dentists. “Newer dental graduates seem to be more inclined to see the dental prosthetist as essential to a healthy and effective practice,” he says.
“Many come to see us to seek advice with combined and complex treatment plans and are willing to share information like treatment notes and radiographs.”
He claims new levels of digital communication have played a major role in making direct communication easier as well as streamlining treatment planning.
“A much clearer picture can be presented by both parties when we are able to share and discuss our patient information, including intra oral images and 3D images.”
The advent of AI powered note taking has taken communication with patients and other dental professionals to another level. “It can be clear and concise. We now have no excuse for being deficient in this area. We use Heidi Health for our clinical records. It’s easy to use and provides both the clinician and patients an instant transcript of the clinical consultation discussion.”
For many years the dental prosthetist was seen just as ‘the denture guy’. Prosthetists have had to work hard to change this. For the best outcomes, a prosthetist must be considered as an equal part of the dental team.
Arnie Jabour, Classic Denture Studio
Smile Design is another tool he uses, allowing the patient and clinician to plan the aesthetic outcome of cases. “This helps eliminate unreal expectations and can also be very useful in the digital denture world, where you don’t have a wax try-in to verify final aesthetics and tooth position. “Because of this clarity, it allows each member of the team to do their best work with real and meaningful feedback, and a chance to change the course of a treatment plan that may be going off track.”
Prosthetist David Stratton of Detail Denture Clinics has been serving the Hobart community for more than 20 years. He says the working relationship between his team and local dentists has changed dramatically over that time. “With the dentists we work closely with, a discussion about the best form of treatment from a denture standpoint is discussed as the plan is being formulated, and that wasn’t so common a decade ago.”
Greater patient expectations have also improved communication between prosthetist and dentist. “Some of our treatment plans are for 12 months, and patients like to know what their costs are going to be over that time,” Stratton says. “It can be a large investment so good communication with the dentist about the expense is essential.”
He believes improved digital systems for information sharing is the essential next step for further cementing ties between dentists and prosthetists.
“Actually integrating on one common system for notes or being able to log into one another’s systems to fast track communication will probably be the next step,” he says. “A better digital platform that enables clinicians to update each other would make this connection so much more streamlined.”
As for future directions, Julie Parker adds, “Emerging AI tools like Pearl are increasingly being used to assist diagnosis and planning, allowing for more precise coordination between clinical and technical experts.
“It just makes sense. I’m convinced we’re about to see more use of digital workflows and AI tools that support better planning and design, and more formalised collaboration between roles. It won’t be seen as optional anymore, but just part of standard care.”
