In the March 2025 issue of Inside Dental Technology, I wrote about how dental technology manufacturers are at a crossroads, and it appears that there is an appreciative positioning and innovation emphasis on a more automated functionality in their technological offerings to focus more on simplifying the user experience in an attempt to derive the greatest efficiency and outcomes. Whether it be automation or the introduction of integrated AI on various levels to assist with the overall ease of use and process, there has been a substantial push forward by those in professional leadership and future-thinking roles. The astute laboratory owner and manager must also stay up-to-date with these innovations to learn how they can implement similar initiatives to make their prosthetic and service offerings easier to attain while utilizing advanced technologies.
One may ask, "How do we stay informed and on the cutting edge of dental laboratory technology?" The best way is by continuously evaluating market trends and how others form opportunities and synergies to satisfy their market needs. Laboratories truly in sync with their dentist clientele needs and their staff could find solutions to their problems or to potential pain points when working with the dental laboratory. That may involve problem solving within your own dental laboratory's wheelhouse or identifying new technologies, software, and/or hardware to provide real solutions to the challenges they face each day. Altogether, that would undoubtedly get your laboratory positioned as the ideal source for solutions and innovation.
Put yourself in your client's day-to-day and start by walking in their shoes-visualize and follow the process every step of the way through delivery of the prosthesis. Notice if there is any resistance to a process at any point, or perhaps you can identify an easier way of doing the same, and really think about how your laboratory can be a solution to those issues and make things simpler. Doing this exercise regularly and for diverse dentist clientele would position you and your laboratory as the one with the desired answers, as well as the laboratory that provides the best customer experience, which will further competitively differentiate your laboratory beyond the product and services you provide to be a strong partner in innovation and ease of engagement, all for the betterment of the dentist, and ultimately the patient.
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