Survey of Dental Magnetic Attachments by Quality Function Deployment Method

 

T. Sigemori , T. Yokoyama, N. Kimura, K. Hoshiai, T. Kawaguchi, R.Ito, K. Watanabe, M.Miwata, H. Kajiura, R.Tanaka, Y.Tanaka, T.Hamano^✽, H.Nakashima^✽

 

Department of Removable Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry， Aichi-Gakuin University

*GC　Dental Products

Objective

In order to determine the basic requirements for users of magnetic attachments, we carried out an investigation using the QFD (Quality Function Deployment) method. We determined the postulated conditions for magnetic attachments and selected 19 items. Then, by examining these items, we aimed to determine the clinical applications of effective magnetic attachments.

 

Methods

In order to determine the requirements for magnetic attachments, we conducted an initial survey of about 40 dentists who had a low degree of interest in magnetic attachments. QFD method was employed for these subjects.

Fig.1 shows flow chart of QFD. The flow chart of QFD is as follows.

 

We then created a second survey of 19 items (Table.1), and using this second list, we conducted a second VAS-method questionnaire survey of dentists with a high degree of interest. We also examined the requirements of dental practitioners work at a university with the second questionnaire using multivariate analysis (Table.2).

 

Results and Discussions

 When magnetic attachments were investigated using the QFD method, practitioners gave high responses concerning the quality with such comments as, " able to use for a long time " and " has sufficient magnetic force ".  Two items (" able to use for a long time " and " has sufficient magnetic force ") were chosen from the high-ranking requirements in all groups, including in the practitioner group, as a result of examining the trends among prosthodontists. The requirements were different depending on the workplace of the dentist who investigated. The medical practitioners cited the reliability and secure sense of usage with magnetic attachments, and how there was little trouble with such devices. Also, dentists with considerable clinical experience thought that magnetic devices were safe and trouble free. (Table.4)

 

Reference

Literature references should be listed at the end of the paper in the same order that they appear in the text, and in accordance with the following examples.

1.         R. Ito, K. Hoshiai, N. Hasegawa, N. Muraji, T. Kawaguchi, K. Noda, K. Watanabe

and Y. Tanaka: Longitudinal Study on Metal Plate Denture with Magnetic Attachments, J J Mag Dent, 18(2), 8-14, 2009.