Group Practice Laboratories: Growing Opportunity for In-House Technicians

Although large, professionally managed group practices still only represent a small segment (7 to 8%) of the dental profession, their explosive growth in the last few years indicates that the trend will continue. That means there's also a growing opportunity for dental technicians at these practices' on-site or centralized laboratories.

Given the size of the companies, many of these practices offer comprehensive benefits packages, training programs and opportunities for advancement that are often difficult to find in small, independent laboratories. It's also a great opportunity for technicians and dentists to work collaboratively with patients. "Our lead technicians often have an opportunity to meet the patient to look at a try-in or help select a tooth shape or size, for example," says Mike Thomas, Vice President of Laboratory Operations, Affordable Dentures Dental Laboratories (ADDL). "We like our technicians to think of their role as a partner in service, working together...