Strategy: Streamlining Production with Four Cross-Trained Teams

When we look at the future, it seems 3D printing will be the defacto production method for a huge portion of restorations, especially chairside. Our value to our clients will be in the design phase, given our ability to rectify functional problems based on our years of experience. Since we serve a lot of clients in rural areas—traditionally the slowest adopters of technology—we will also need to design and produce and finish (make it pretty) for them.

With that in mind, we’re shifting away from a traditional production lab setup and more towards a design center and milling/printing center model so we are better prepared and can operate more efficiently. Rather than separating departments by type of case—C&B, dentures, etc.—we have divided into four teams: model work/digital models, design, production (printing, milling, etc.) and finishing.

Each technician will eventually be completely cross-trained to handle his team’s...