Dentist: Good morning Mr John
Technologist: Very well. I hope you had a restful night?
Dentist: Yes. Thank you.
Hope our patient will smile home today?
Technologist: You cannot imagine it, the Plaster we used in processing the job disappointed us-it was slow setting.
Dentist: So what?
Technologist: The processing took a little longer. I am afraid a new appointment has to be arranged.
Dentist: That is very disappointing.
Technologist: The problem was not anticipated. A new supply failed us.
Dentist: What is the new date are you suggesting?
Technologist: Another week.
Dentist: It is sad.
Technologist: I think we need to re- appraise the whole situation.
Dentist: What do you mean?
Technologist: The management has to be advised on the latest technologies in fabrication of dental prostheses.
Dentist: How do you mean?
Technologist: We cannot afford to continue to stay at the mercy of failed appointments because we do not employ the latest time saving technologies and techniques.
Dentist: You want to be recommended for training?
Technologist: No, but the management should be aware there are better ways of working to satisfy our patients.
Dentist: Please explain further.
Technologist: The world of dentistry is already shifting from Plaster room to digital spaces.
Dentist: Are you suggesting the use of computer to do laboratory fabrication? By the way how many of you in the lab can use a computer that way?
Technologist: Computer and the skills required to operate one is a commonplace these days.
Dentist: Anyway, our system is not supportive of what you are trying to suggest with this no electricity, no water, no material problems we daily encounter.
Technologist: Yes but we have to start somewhere; suggest and recommend the best way to the management and we have done our part.
Dentist: I agree but management too will give excuses on shortage of funds.
Technologist: What then is the way forward? We shall then continue to disappoint our patients-that is not good for dentistry as a whole.
Dentist: We must find a way out of this in the overall interest of the dental profession and the patient we serve.
Technologist: The whole thing look like a quagmire but it is surmountable.
Dentist: Yes. Let's think of some other alternatives while we pressurise the management over our idea.
Technologist: Alternatives?
Dentist: Yes, alternatives.
Technologist: I suggest we create a forum of dental professionals leaving no one behind that will discuss the future of dentistry in Nigeria. This all-inclusive forum can commence a new direction for the future of dentistry.
Dentist: How, under what modalities?
Technologist: Both of us can start talking to those that may share this dream then we take it from there.
Dentist: Good idea. Let's get this off the ground during break time.
Technologist: I look forward to it.
