Globalization and Automation: Hot Topics at CDLA Meeting

"The Dental Laboratory Profession in the Next Five Years: The Perfect Storm or Status Quo," was the topic of a panel discussion moderated by LMT Editor Kelly Carr at the annual Connecticut Dental Laboratory Association meeting in October. Carr and panel members Dennis Fraioli, CEO of GlobaLink Solutions and executive vice president of XPdent, and Chuck Yenkner, president, Business Development Associates, presented their views on the most significant trends facing our industry, with an emphasis on offshore outsourcing and automation.

"Globalization is here; you cannot ignore it. It's not about being patriotic, it's about survival," said Fraioli, who urged attendees to investigate the possibility of offshore outsourcing as a backup resource. "If you don't need it, don't use it. But you have to ask yourself the tough questions like, what happens if you lose your best technician tomorrow?"

Acknowledging that offshore laboratories have already started...