"Reflective Trilogy"
By: Wesley E.Johnson,CDT
Photographer: Paul Colletti

We have heard so much about the pitfalls of this economical turmoil and the light at the end of the tunnel. We have heard about the patients being more hesitant to spend significant funds on dental treatments. Before the recession 36 million crowns were placed annually, which produces 36 billion dollars. A major part of dentistry gross revenue, there has been 17% decrease in crown fabrication in the last 2 years.

All this is happening as we still discuss the increase of offshore laboratory work, dentists failure to recognize the value of good work and the technology bombardment that will enhance our productivity (if we embrace it) and the consequence if we don’t. All of this would keep you up nights without the realization that this will turn around and in some areas quite quickly. Now is a very good time to evaluate your work flow and decide whether this is the time for retraining and preparing for the rebirth of accounts. This is an opportunity to investigate the best way to handle merging technologies and blend these processes into the regular laboratory schedule.

The technology available is creating exciting possibilities for technicians and laboratories in providing better smiles to the dental patient. The Iowa Dental Laboratory Association is striving to provide avenues as you investigate all the alternatives and come out of this current economy a stronger more defined industry.

Betty Mitchell, BS, CDT, TE
IDLA President