Survey of dentists shows major support for materials certification

A nationwide survey of dentists found 91.2 percent of respondents favoring the certification of the composition and ADA classification of the restorative materials they prescribe. More than 97 percent said they would favor dental labs that included free materials certification with every case they ship.

The survey was conducted by the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council, an industry non-profit that provides participating suppliers with certificates attesting to the composition and ADA classification of their products. The suppliers then include the certificates free with the materials they ship to labs for the labs to pass on to dentists with every case.

The survey also asked dentists to name the major benefits they saw in the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram materials certification program. “Ensuring material quality and content” was named by 93.9 percent of the respondents, with 75.8 percent listing “Attesting to the quality of the lab.” Other benefits selected included “Improving risk management” (54.5 percent) and “Streamlining record-keeping” (36.4 percent).

To encourage completion of the surveys, the Council offered respondents a chance at winning a new Apple iPad tablet. Joy V. Poskozim, DDS, of Joyful Dental Care in Chicago, Illinois, had her name drawn to win the prize.

More information on the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council and a list of over 40 alloy and ceramic suppliers certifying their products through the Council are available at IdentAlloy.org or by calling 888-577-2634.