Abstract
Purpose: Using the QFD method, this study investigated the prioritisation of criteria used for the selection of artificial teeth. The study compared the approach of dentists and dental technicians and the prioritisation of different workplaces.
Methods: A preliminary questionnaire was prepared to determine what criteria were used in selecting artificial teeth. A questionnaire was then prepared based on the 19 criteria for selecting artificial teeth determined by the preliminary survey. This survey was conducted according to the VAS method.Participants were asked to prioritise the relative importance of the 19 selectional criteria determined by the preliminary survey. The participants consisted of 40 dentists (19 university dentists: 21 dentists in private practice) and 27 dental technicians (15 university technicians: 12 technicians in private practice).
Results: For anterior teeth, the prioritisation of the selectional criteria was very similar among all groups. There were differences with regards to the prioritisation of selectional criteria for posterior teeth.University dentists and technicians had only a few selectional criteria whose proritisation correlated. However, both dentists and technicians in private practice had many criteria whose priority correlated. When principal component analysis is conducted, the contribution ratio of main component 2 was 60% for dentists. Main component 3 had the highest contribution ratio for technicians, an explanation of which is possible.
Conclusion: There was no clear difference in the prioritisation of selectional criteria between dentists and technicians, or between workplaces for anterior teeth. With respects to posterior teeth, university dentists and dental technicians placed a greater priority on the accuracy of occlusion, whereas dentists and dental technicians in private practice put a higher priority on natural sensation. University dentists and dental technicians showed various tendencies with respects to the prioritisation of selectional criteria. Dentists and dental technicians in private practice require artificial teeth which are stable and are in harmony with the patient's natural teeth.
