Attitude: Always the Driver

Much like the polarization we’re seeing in our country this election year, members of our community—including, of course, the dentists we serve—have different ideas about where they think our industry is headed and, more interestingly, why.

Some believe independent dental laboratories are going to disappear altogether. They are concerned that, in the not-too-distant future, most dentists will use chairside systems to make restorations and those who don’t will be sending work overseas.

This is the most negative end of the spectrum. It includes visions of profit-focused dentists who are compromising the quality of care they deliver in order to boost their bottom line. Part of this comes from buzz about some corporate dental groups working recent grads “to the bone” in an effort to move as many patients through the door as possible.

Some lab owners also voice concern for the quality and depth of education dental students are receiving...