LMT Magazine

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, TN. He was one of 11 technicians and 60 dentists who volunteered to provide exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions and flippers to about 1,700 patients.

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 layering on both zirconia and lithium disilicate restorations with consistent shade accuracy and translucency, giving you maximum flexibility in achieving high-end esthetic restorations.

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 2026 once again demonstrated the power of bringing the global digital dentistry community together in person,” said Novica Savic, CCO.

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 and credit their military experience with establishing a strong foundation for success.

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 customer-ready. They’ve really become the foundation of how we operate. But adopting the core values wasn’t an overnight success. We had to use them in the right way and address things that didn’t match.

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 dentistry for the better. Culture is something I work on every single day. It’s a living thing. Take your eye off it for too long and it can fade quickly.

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.

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 brilliant in his business philosophy: focus on long-term success in the service of others rather than profits for owners.

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 work can be taught. We’ve found that initially focusing on those qualities leads to stronger, more cohesive teams over time. For both parties to assess fit, we may offer internship opportunities.

On May 15-16 in Garden Grove, CA, more than 1,600 dental laboratory owners, managers, technicians and dentists joined LMT for LAB DAY West—the largest dental laboratory technology show on the West Coast—to browse the newest innovations in a relaxed, welcoming environment. In addition to visiting 131 exhibitors in two Exhibit Halls, attendees had ample opportunities for education: 87 concurrent seminars and a variety of tabletop demonstrations.