Choosing a Practitioner
Choice of practitioner is a difficult decision for a client to reach. Often most clients will be unsure of the options available to them.Unfortunately society has come to recognise self promotion as a great requisite for success, this is not always true, and a fancy and clever designed website is no guarantee of quality service.
Similarly there are plenty of individuals who may have an artistic skill i.e artists or special effects technicians, however, this is not enough and they do not have the clinical training and associated clinical/medical colleague liason neccessary for a successful treatment outcome. They are also not governed by legislated protocols, that ensure profficient training and standards .Therefore it is important that a client chooses a qualified practicioner for their highly specialised treatment.
In the UK a competent qualified practitioner would hold a qualification in Maxillofacial Technology and be a Member or Fellow of the Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists. If any intra oral practice is required they would also now be required to be registered with the General Dental Council. Both organisations issue a unique identification number to the practicioner.
What should a client be looking for in a practitioner?
Experience - this is probably the most important aspect. A practitioner should have the neccessary and extended experience to treat the often difficult cases presented. This can only be gained by treatment of a multitude of clients.
'You will never be a good bricklayer if you only build one brick wall a year'
The same adage applies to Anaplastology/Prosthetics, a client should look for a practitioner with a wide, extensive and documented level of experience. Such experience should relate to exclusive experience of facial and body prosthetics and not that gained through dental qualification.
Quality of Practice - prosthetic rehabilitation is very labour intensive and often an expensive treatment by nature, therefore a practitioner should be able to provide illustrated and physical evidence of quality work. This should also go hand in hand with their professional reputation.
Clinical Facility - What are the clinical facilities available, are they fit for purpose? Are they hygenic and conform to infection control policy? The facility used by Mr Thomas is within a dedicated NHS unit and is therefore designed for purpose and as such contributes to the Hospital Trust by generating a percentage income per case. This percentage is included in the overall cost of treatment and not in addition, so you receive no unexpected additional expenses.
Personality - It is important that the client is able to communicate fully with their chosen clinician, as they are ultimately going to spend considerable time together, which will also require an open and two-way dialogue if a successful treatment outcome is to result. The client should consider whether the practitioner is trustworthy in relation to their requisite needs.
Testimonials - There can be no better recommendation that that of previous clients - people who have found themselves in the same position and needed the right professional practitioner and are happy to testify that they found them!
Keith Thomas
FIMPT Consultant Clinical Specialist - Anaplastology
