I have received an inquiry regarding the most appropriate method of safely sending an impression to the dental laboratory.

With a commitment to ongoing infection control, the National Association of Dental Laboratories recommends the following protocol:

1) Rinse anything that has been in the patient's mouth, then place it in an appropriate disinfectant for the recommended time. Again rinse and allow to dry. Obviously, alginate impressions should be poured up in the dental office and the stone cast sent.

2) Place all items that have been in the patient's mouth in a plastic bag and, if possible, heat seal the bag.

3) Place the prescription in a zip-type plastic bag to avoid contaminating it.

4) Do not contaminate the package that items are placed in for delivery to the dental laboratory.

5) Communicate to the dental laboratory the type of impression material and the disinfection materials used in your office, so that the laboratory will use one that is also compatible to your material.