ABSTRACT Background and Objective: Edentulous patients seek services from dental professionals to replace lost teeth with removable complete dentures (RCDs). The dentist (dental surgeon) and dental technologists are expected to work as a team to fulfill all the expectations of the patient. Effective communication between the dentist and the technologist is important in ensuring that dentures are well-fabricated and fitted, and it also impacts the working relationship between the two professionals. The present study explored communication and teamwork between dental surgeons and dental technologists during the fabrication of RCDs. Design: The study employed a qualitative design to explore communication and teamwork between dental surgeons and dental technologists. It was conducted using in-depth interviews of dental surgeons and technologists guided by data saturation. Setting: The study was conducted in Makerere University Dental Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Participants: Twenty five participants: 13 dental surgeons and 12 dental technologists were interviewed during data collection. Results: Generally, participants reported having a good working relationship, where they closely worked together and supported each other to ensure that patients are satisfied with RCD services. The dental surgeons and technologists used different forms of communication. However, the common form of communication was through the use of dental laboratory request forms on which all details about the procedures and materials were provided by the dental surgeons to dental technologists. To complement the dental laboratory request forms, the use of phone calls and electronic media like WhatsApp messages were equally important in emphasizing instructions and follow-ups to ensure that the work was well executed. Conclusion: Most of the participants reported having a good working relationship aimed at offering the best services to the patients. Communication between the dental surgeons and dental technologists was mainly through the use of dental laboratory request forms. Phone calls and electronic media were equally important in emphasizing instructions and follow-ups to ensure that the work was well executed.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This research was supported by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (grant number MAK-RIF ROUND 5, 2023-2024).

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Ethical approval of the protocol was obtained from the Makerere University School of Health Sciences Research and Ethics Committee (Reference Number: MAKSHSREC-2023-486) as well as the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (Reference Number: HS3092ES).

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