Practicing CUMA: "Collective Understanding and Mutual Aid" [Dentist-Laboratory communication Part II]

• Published in: Oral Health Vol. 95; no. 7; p. 67
• Main Authors: Karateew, E Dwayne, Beschizza, Marco
• Format: Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Montréal Newcom Media Inc 01.07.2005
• Subjects: Cooperation; Dental laboratories; Dentists
• ISSN: 0030-4204

Collective Understand and Mutual Aid- "CUMA", describes the interaction of a highly skilled and driven team, consisting of both dentist and ceramist, practicing symbiotically through understanding, trust and expertise. As we had previously discussed, so much more should be involved in inter-professional communication than a laboratory prescription with A3 written on it and the rest left to chance. There are situations where the challenge goes far beyond what is standard, into the realm that is often classified as custom design. This personal contact is without doubt what allows our team to create the results, which we are able to achieve. Our demands on each other and the chemistry which we can create in the high pressure system of our clinical lives often takes us to the limits of technique and available materials to achieve goals that are often deemed impossible (Fig. 1). It is perhaps the top five percent (95th percentile) which ascribes to these levels of aesthetic and functional demands. It is those in this zone that break all the rules related to input and execution achieving exceptional results. We call this type of work "Super-Natural". It is the transition from the 90th to the 95th percentile, representing a small change in numerical representation, but is so technically difficult to reach. Trying to achieve this top five percent is all about being a perfectionist and that in itself has the potential to be the downfall, as often perfectionists never know when to stop. The perfectionist needs to know where to stop or the work simply will never be completed (Figs. 2-4). [E. Dwayne Karateew DDS], Dip. Perio, Dip. Prostho, obtained his DDS from Columbia University in New York and Diplomas in both Periodontics and fixed Prosthodontics from the University of Pennsylvania. He practices in Vancouver, BC. The authors are currently involved in the joint multi-media presentation of "Practicing CUMA-Collective Understanding and Mutual Aid".