European Vision Shapes Lab Design

After studying in Europe and earning a Master's degree in dental ceramics from the UCLA Center for Esthetic Dentistry, Joshua Polansky knew exactly what kind of laboratory he wanted to open. "In Europe, technicians have more contact with patients and working directly with patients is also the core of UCLA's program," says Polansky. "So I wanted to set up a lab that was an extension of how I was trained to work."

The perfect location, then, was some extra space in his dentist-father's Cherry Hill, New Jersey dental clinic. There, Polansky would have ample opportunities for patient contact and consultation. So in 275 square feet of space, Niche Dental Studio was opened in 2009, with Joshua and two other technicians working on homemade benches without suction, ventilation or good lighting sources. "It was all very makeshift and uncomfortable," he says. "After only a month or two we knew we had to invest in a renovation."

Since patients were coming...