June/July 2026

The U.S. military has long been a training ground for many in our industry, providing education, hands-on experience and a clear pathway to career opportunities. Many veterans cite discipline, attention to detail, accountability and teamwork among the most valuable life skills they gained while serving...

Associate Director, Corus Byrnes Dental Laboratory, Wheatley, England; 46 employees

LMT: How would your team describe your culture and how is it consistently reinforced?

Byrne: They would likely describe it as relaxed but driven, fun but hardworking, empowering and united by a shared mission to change...

Owner, Bay View Dental Laboratory, Chesapeake, VA; 40 technicians

LMT: What has most influenced your approach to creating a strong laboratory culture?

Shafer: My 30-plus years studying alongside Dr. Peter Dawson had the biggest impact. Not only was he one of the greatest teachers of dentistry, he was...

Owner, Mid-South Dental Lab, Brentwood, TN; 52 employees

LMT: What has been the most important thing you’ve done to enhance your laboratory culture?

Jackson: I would say defining our core values a few years ago: positive attitudes, work ethic, attention to detail, team-oriented, humility and...

Over 850 laboratory and dental professionals from more than 44 countries attended the fifth exocad Insights in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. exocad’s flagship event, held April 30-May 1, was themed “Calling all Heroes” and focused on multidisciplinary exchange, practical learning and connection.

“Insights...

CERABIEN MiLai from Kuraray Noritake, a groundbreaking new ceramic, is a comprehensive yet simple system for reproducing lifelike shades, effects and gingiva. It’s actually two systems in one: one for staining and glazing; the other for internal staining, micro layering and pasting. It allows ultrathin...

Owner, Niche Dental Studio, Voorhees Township, NJ; 13 employees

LMT: What kind of environment have you aimed to create in your laboratory?

Polansky: I always say, I built the type of lab I had always dreamed of working in. When I was younger, it was hard for me to flourish because when I sought opportunities...

Co-Owner, Renstrom Dental Studio, St. Paul, MN; 70 employees

LMT: What’s the most important thing you’ve done to enhance your culture?

James: Adjusting our hiring mindset to look for the best attitude versus the best technical ability. Now we always talk about culture before skill; the...

Since 2020, Dan Pfluger, CDT, Owner, Assured Dental Lab, Loves Park, IL, has traveled to 11 Mission of Mercy (MOM) events to help provide free dental care to underserved populations.

His first event was the Mid-South Mission of Mercy, a two-day program held in the basement of a Baptist church in Memphis,...