The Renaissance of Dental Technology

The Renaissance of Dental Technology

Daniel Alter MSC, MDT, CDT


Dental technology has changed significantly in recent years, with the profession assuming new business models, utilizing digital workflow.  Dentistry as whole experienced transformations, which propagated this change further; competition from foreign soil competing over price, coupled with domestic and international economic challenges, found the domestic dental technology profession in a state of consolidation and constriction.  How does it affect you? As a practicing Dentist, your restorative options may be compromised with regards to consistency, quality and adulterated materials, creating an unnecessary elevated level of stress and anxiety. As a dental technician and laboratory, competing on price alone is a direct spiral downwards towards an end.  Dental technicians must elevate their expertise and skills in technology to survive the current competitive environment.  As a dental manufacturer, with the decline of strong and knowledgeable decision makers, a decline in sales will certainly follow. Forward-thinking dental professionals reformed with the ever-changing environment while embracing emerging technology and leveraging it as their competitive edge.  These reforms are starting to affect restorative work returning to domestic laboratories.  However, along with change, come growing pains and learning curves.

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- The National Association of Dental Laboratories 2013 material and equipment survey showed that out of all respondent to the survey 45.5% currently own or lease CAD/CAM systems, while 31.3% outsource their CAD/CAM to other labs. Furthermore, 11.6% plan on purchasing CAD/CAM systems within the next year and 28.7% within 5 years.

The old and flawed adage of “take any gamer and they can operate CAD/CAM” has proven to be catastrophic.  What was quickly discovered is that although the CAD software is very sophisticated, it was deemed useless without the expertise of a skilled dental technician.  This knowledge and skill base can create wonderful and successful dental restorations, providing a benefit for all involved; the dental clinician, dental laboratory and ultimately the patient.  During my travels and in the office, I am frequently contacted by laboratory owners who are increasingly frustrated; they want to get into the digital world so they can benefit from the digital advantage, or already are there, but either have no time to develop their own digital skills or can’t find someone who possesses those skills.

Untapped resources for these solutions are present right under our noses, but many times unrealized.  The national academic dental technology programs are in a current state of crisis; excluding a handful of forward-thinking and embracing programs.  The current void in the profession can easily be filled by the students in these programs.  These students, many times, were raised using similar technology and can quickly and easily grasp the digital workflow of CAD/CAM dental solutions.  This would furthermore increase their employ-ability and earning potential upon entering the profession.  The difference between these technicians and the previously mentioned “gamers” rests in that they are concurrently being trained to be dental technicians, understanding the fundamentals of what makes a dental restoration succeed in the oral cavity and be accepted by a patient and clinician.

Collectively, we can affect change and generate a constant flow of qualified digital dental technicians, future innovators and future decision makers of the profession.  I am proud to report that New York City College of Technology is the first program in the nation to have a standalone CAD/CAM program that is approved by CODA (ADA) within an accredited program.  I pride myself in solving problems and finding amicable solutions.  I authored the proposal and curriculum, set up a computer lab (including servers and telecommunication) and I am currently teaching the course.  It is received extremely well by the college and students, and has begun a movement towards introducing more curricula into other programs.  Several key people have showed interest and desire for their respective programs to become engaged in teaching dental CAD/CAM.  Advisory board member, Dene LeBeau, of Bates Technical College, adamantly hopes to see similar courses run in his local program.  Los Angeles community college is working towards implementing a similar course.  Large CAD solution providers and dental companies have shown interest in engaging and assisting with programs that are willing to include CAD/CAM in their curricula.

- Allowing this type of dental technology education and opportunity would facilitate a different type of experience and ultimately yield a different result. The opportunity would energize the individual to become a productive and positive role within the dental profession.

- Current resource for filling the CAD/CAM void is being handled from within through recruiting efforts with 91%, 89% and 85% for small, medium and large labs respectively. These efforts are insurmountably expensive for many labs to absorb, and therefore affects the overall bottom-line.

This is a pivotal moment in dental technology and collectively as a profession; we can affect a change towards a renaissance in dental technology.  It has been shown through history that academic programs are the bloodline for professional viability. So let’s get involved to become a part of the solution and not just sit idle while the problem gets bigger.  Let’s get involved and provide resolutions for these programs to successfully implement CAD/CAM courses that would fill the current digital solutions void and support the future of our beloved profession.

  - Daniel Alter