Less Dentists in the U.S.A. ?

Recently many news reports discuss the future of American dentistry and come to a very sad conclusion: very soon the United States shall witness a shortage of dentists.

"Residents of the United States who need teeth extracted may soon have to do it the old-fashioned way — with pliers, whisky and elbow grease — because there may not be enough dentists to go around." These are the remarkes from today's news story:
United States faces dentist shortage by Roger Collier, CMAJ

"The number of practicing dentists is projected to start declining in 2014, which will likely exacerbate an existing problem: the unwillingness of many to practice in rural areas. Further compounding the problem are such factors as a continuing migration from general practice to specialties like orthodontics, the closure of dental schools, a decrease in the size of graduating classes, the forthcoming mass retirement of older dentists and the growing number of female dentists, who tend to work fewer hours than their male colleagues."

Dental technicians seem to be falling in this sad trend. However, we may provide some statistics on how are the things going on in the U.S.A. as compared to the rest of world.  ASMDT compiled this Selected Statistics on World Dental Laboratory Technicians - based on the data of the World Health Organization (WHO). Germany (with the number of dentists twice as low as compared to America) is the leader with the number of Dental Lab Technicians, and the U.S.A. is not far behind.  

We are not overall pessimistic - we still hope that somewhere around the people with "with pliers, whisky and elbow grease" Dental Lab Technicians might be standing with a helping hand???

MDT: Alternative Direction to Profitability

Going back in time in the lab industry, experience and trade secrets were always sheltered by technicians due to their insecurity and lack of education.
Education to the average lab owner or technician had always been kept at a minimum as long as they produced something resembling a gadget with a price on it – that was all that was necessary.
We have seen the transition take place in the past fifty years and education has become the primary factor.
Times have changed in the past twenty years and now the gadgets are being produced off shore and labor costs there are definitely affecting the livelihood of labs.
So in the past it was the lack of sharing knowledge. But now it is cheaper productivity with lower cost of labor.
It’s been our experience that labs refer 50% of work to other labs because they are unable to predict the end result of complex cases.
We recently did a survey of labs employing Master Dental Technologists and it was no surprise to find that labs indicated a solid 50% increase in income mainly due to the fact that all types of cases from prosthetic specialists and other difficult cases are no longer being turned away.

Employing MDT’s with their knowledge is essential to your lab’s function because they develop refined abilities in all technical and physiological aspects; they have increased understanding of occlusal principals and can design cases beyond full-mouth reconstruction through forensics.
With MDT knowledge, your lab is able to open effective communication on the dentist’s level and to save chair-time for the patient as well as the dentist; not to mention your increased income.
Labs usually guide and work with the dentist to enhance the outcome of each case they receive and enhanced communication naturally brings in more work to the lab.
The dentist’s partnership with your lab is vital because of securing the end result on the “big money cases” and to prevent the loss of time and money.
Our Home Study Program is designed to train your technicians in your lab as a continuing educational program. Upon completing our course, each lab technician becomes Certified as a Master Dental Technologist.
Visit our website, WWW.ASMDT.COM, for complete information on our Master Dental Technologist Programs.
We also welcome your telephone call (+1(718) 746-8355) to discuss discounts for multiple technician use of our Home Study Program.

ASMDT Graduate in the News

Yesterday The Connecticut Post had a feature on one of the graduates of ASMDT Course. Also Mr. Askalsky made a tesitmonial on his studies at ASMDT, that can be read here

New partners to grow dental lab

By Michael C. Juliano
STAFF WRITER
Updated: 10/13/2009 08:50:46 PM EDT

Alexander Askalsky of Trumbull came to the United States from Russia in 1976 with his family, unable to speak English.
A dozen years later, he opened Metropolitan Dental Laboratory in New York City, and then moved it to Monroe in 1998, Stratford a year later and then Milford, where his 4,800-square-foot laboratory with 12 employees has been on Oxford Road since 2006.
"I appreciate living in this country, having come from Russia, where I lived in a 'box' and was not allowed freedom of expression," said Askalsky, 52. "I believe it's the only country in the world where someone can make it if they work hard."
Askalsky received his master's degree in dental technology from New York University School of Dentistry's American School of Master Dental Technology. In 2007, he became a member of the American College of Prosthodontists and is working on becoming a technical fellow of the Northeastern Gnathological Society, dedicated to the anatomy and physiology of chewing.
His hope is to grow his business, which makes implants, dentures, crowns and bridges and has 60 clients, into one of the best dental laboratories in the world with the help of Michelle Bravo, his business partner for the past month, Askalsky said.
"Our expertise is a two-punch operation that will hopefully get us to where we're going," Askalsky said.
Bravo, who grew up in Fairfield and now lives in Easton, worked for 12 years as the communications manager for the Cambridge, Mass., office of Straumann, a Swiss dental implant company, before returning to Fairfield County seven years ago as a stay-at-home mother for her two children. After the end of her marriage, she started looking for employment six months ago, and after applying to more than 60 jobs online, she found a small ad in the newspaper that read "Dental lab sales" and included a phone number.
"I never imagined that this phone number would lead me to a hard-working Russian-Jewish man that owned a dental laboratory in Milford," she said. "I began working for Alex two weeks after an interview and it has been an amazing experience."
Bravo said she will use her marketing experience with Straumann to grow the business.
"I see amazing potential in this laboratory," Bravo said. "Alex has amazing technical ability and equipment."
As a way to give back to the dental community, Metropolitan Dental Laboratory has opened its Continuing Education Center free of charge to anyone in the profession, Bravo said.
"We understand and encourage the teaching of the rapid evolution of dentistry and would like to support the dental community in this capacity," she said. "It is our way of appreciating and encouraging the evolution of dentistry."
Many businesses in Milford are trying to improve to survive today's slow economy, said Kathleen Alongo, president and chief executive officer of the Milford Chamber of Commerce.
"Everyone's trying to find that special change they would make in their operations and business plan to bring them into a very positive cash flow," she said. "It's a story we hear quite a bit."
Milford dental business hungry to grow

ASMDT Course Testimony

Mariana Davidashvilly writes us:

         “There is no doubt, that education benefits you in every possible way.  It opens doors of competency in what you are doing and thus professional satisfaction of a perfect result, followed by gratitude and respect from the dentists.”
         “I would like to share what I am experiencing by watching my husband, Benny, taking the road of knowledge, aspiring to be a Master Dental Technologist.  I remember back, more than fourteen years ago, he was 22 when I met him, he was always referred to as ‘the talented one’ or ‘the one with the good hands’, but he was constantly searching for explanations to, How does this really have to be?; Why does this have to be this way?  Before he learned about the ASMDT Program, he would put his hands on every professional book he came across.  I saw him spending evening after evening studying books about ceramics and techniques of pioneers like W. Geller and J. Ubassy.  He read and reread them numerous times, would come home very late, trying and experimenting with new techniques in a lab, and so he mastered himself in Ceramics, Cosmetics and Esthetics.”
         “Needless to say, he was very excited to the find ASMDT in 1999.  And in the same year, he entered the M.D.T. Program.  I watched him being very passionate when he studied the course materials.  It was definitely not an easy period for all of us: for him dedicating almost all of his free time to studying, and, for me and the kids to understand and support him.  Benny finally graduated, being one of the best.”
         “Now, Benny is nearing the second year that he has been dedicating his time as a volunteer Instructor in the M.D.T. Program, helping students with everything he can.”
         “I can definitely tell that this acquired knowledge and expertise enabled him to be presented with the opportunity to become the Dental Lab Manager at Montifiore University Hospital.  In addition to performing as a ceramist, and due to his extended knowledge as an M.D.T., he was also able to advise and instruct in the Prosthologist Program.”
         “I see that today Benny is living a professional dream come true.  He has all the conceivable variety of prosthodontic cases, including full arch implant cases and so on.  I see that implementing his knowledge from the ASMDT Program, following all the steps and never taking the shortcuts had earned him a great deal of respect among the dental specialists in the hospital.  Just as it is in theory, but unfortunately for the patient, it rarely happens in real life. the technologist has to see the patient as the doctor does.  Benny was very happy to be able to see the patient as much and as often as he needed, to take the shades and to instruct the prosthodontic residents and other doctors in the steps needing to be done for his work.”
         “Without hesitation, I am happy to say, that every single case he now does is an astounding success and both the doctor and patient are extremely pleased.”
         “Last year, at a graduation party for one of the prosthodontic residents, Benny was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his commitment, service and support given to the Montifiore Prosthodontic Residency and I, as Mrs. Benny Davidashvilly, Master Ceramist, MDT, was honored with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a lot of handshakes of gratitude for the wonderful job being done by my husband.”

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Mr. Davidashvilly graduated dental technology school in Israel (1987), followed by a 3-year apprenticeship. After leading European Ceramic Masters, throughout the years he developed techniques and ways of his own. He graduated from New York University, (American Society of Master Dental Technologists) in 2000, and since 2004 has been working closely with Mr. Vincent Alleluia, MDT, TFNGS (Technical Fellow Northeastern Gnathological Society), as an instructor in this program. He has worked at labs in Israel and New York and managed Monte-fiore Hospital’s lab (New York) in the prosthodontic department. Today, he gives lectures, presentations, hands-on courses, and writes articles. Mastering gnathology, morphology, aesthetics, and ceramics has enabled Mr. Davidashvilly to perform with superior excellence. He owns Art & Science Dental Lab in Farmingville, NY

The Need for Dental Technology

by Vincent V. Alleluia, MDT, CDT, TF

In the early history of Dentistry, dental technicians were nonexistent. The dental practitioner would fabricate replacement parts for the missing areas of the mouth. As dentistry progressed in time, a “mechanic” was utilized to make the parts for the practitioner. Then, as replacement parts became more sophisticated, skilled “technicians” evolved to satisfy the needs of the practitioner.
This progression from dental mechanic to dental technician defines dental technology. Since 1962, the National Board for Certification has provided the service of qualifying technicians for certification. Qualified dental technicians need to be an integral part of the dental team and participate in the treatment plan of the patient. The advanced knowledge gained by an M.D.T. qualifies the technologist as a valuable partner to the dental team.
Dental societies are behind the times with their attitude that dental technicians should be subservient to dentists and this attitude is reinforced in dental schools. Few societies recognize the technician’s talent and the needs of the dental team, welcoming the joint relations with excellent success.

The Hand-Me-Down Generation 
Going back in time, as in all other fields, dental students were influenced by their close relationship with their mentor. So it has been with dental technology. In the beginning there were no schools to properly train the technician and they learned on the job. Some were taught well and some were not. It takes many years of apprenticeship to achieve the talent of producing acceptable replacement parts for the oral environment. Dental technology came into existence to advance the dental mechanic to dental technician. To identify this progression and talent, the N.B.C. tests and registers technicians for recognition.
The American Society of Master Dental Technologists began a program in 1973, teaching lab technicians and elevating them to a level where they are recognized as a “partner” with the dental practitioner in all phases of dental prosthetic needs.
New titles need to evolve, recognizing and motivating future technologists. Technicians need to move from C.D.T. to M.D.T. and finally to Dental Prosthologist to keep abreast of the expanding needs of the dental profession. The dental profession can not expand without qualified technologists. The American Society of Master Dental Technologists provides the necessary training to keep the technician motivated and the dental industry desirable.

Benefits of Dental Technology Schools
It takes many years of on-the-job training to understand material science and terminology. Some technicians are suppressed in their progress to advance in order to remain simply a laborer. Most schools with a two-year dental technology program compress many years of comprehending materials, terminology and fabrication of replacement parts for the oral environment within a short time period.
To maintain the ever-expanding dental industry, dental technology schools must also be an integral part of the practitioner’s team to keep up-to-date with new technology, materials and the needs of the industry. On-the-job training definitely limits the technician to simply a “bench worker” with no intention of elevating the technician to a higher level. The most important question in the dental industry is how to motivate the talent needed to serve and to survive in the future.

Transition from Dental Technician to Entrepreneur
As technicians progress, they eventually seek independence by opening their own laboratory. Many successful lab owners, who started from their garage, basement or spare room, realize an unforeseen challenge. Operating a business requires more than talent to produce a tooth. It is understanding the necessities of overhead, maintaining their accounts and adding new accounts. The wearing of two hats, one as a technologist and the other as a businessperson, requires talent to stay profitable as an independent lab.
This transition for the average technician is difficult. Taking ones craft to a business venture does not appeal to most technicians. The majority of technicians prefer working at the bench rather than working a business. Many technicians have been successful because continuing education is an integral part of their success.

What is Needed to Move Out-of-the-Box
A dental lab owner is confronted with many challenges to stay in business with no limit as to expansion.
With offshore labs infiltrating the market, it is possible for quality labs to provide low end products in their
business and, if approached properly, provide high end as well as low end prosthetics. The in-box concept provides conventional crown and bridgework and average prosthetics, while the out-of-the-box concept is the labs high-end dentistry.
Function and aesthetics are most important in the services to the practitioner. On all mouth reconstruction
cases, the dentist must partner with a qualified lab that separates itself from work being fabricated offshore.
So our recommendation is, if you are planning to go out-of-the-box, get the most education possible so
you are skilled to provide the high-end services. As an M.D.T. you are competent in providing the full range of services and partner with the practitioner at the same time.

The Internet Improves Laboratory-Dentist Communication in a Custom Dental Lab

Jonathan Brooks, BS, MDT, Smile-Vision, Laboratory Director


Smile-Vision is a custom dental laboratory making every effort to keep its products at a consistently high level of quality with predictable turnaround times.
In the past we found those large cases, arriving unexpectedly, requesting fast turnaround made it difficult for us to meet these goals. Because we could not anticipate the incoming case load, our clients did not know how long it would take us to complete their cases, thus making it difficult for them to plan their work efficiently. It also adversely affected our earnings and quality. Administrative time and expense were being squandered by rescheduling cases. Occasionally technicians would get overloaded with work or we would be rushing to meet a deadline – both of which negatively affected our quality.
We had experienced similar challenges and then resolved them with our digital cosmetic simulation service available at: www.smilevision.net. Beginning in 1986 (when we first offered the service) and continuing until 2000 (when we first offered that service on-line), we struggled to keep our production on track. In 2000 we developed and installed proprietary web-based software and could suddenly handle a much larger volume of images with far less administrative staff. Images began flowing back and forth with barely a glitch. We were able to cut our fees substantially, offer better service and maintain our profit margin.
We wanted to put our lab business on-line at that time also, but could not bear the expense of development. The introduction of Labnet’s on-line lab/dentist communication program: www.labnet.net, has finally allowed us to put our lab in our clients’ offices, and we are beginning to reap benefits similar to those we experienced from updating our simulation program.
Lab clients who have a high-speed Internet connection can now order their lab cases in advance using Labnet’s secure online connection to our lab server. The advanced order reserves time in our production schedule according to predetermined criteria we have setup, allowing the case to move through the production process far more quickly than if it had arrived unannounced. Our clients receive return dates at the time of ordering, making it easier for them to plan their treatment. Both the lab and the dentist save administrative time and expense by utilizing this process, just as we did with the update in our cosmetic imaging process.
The Labnet program provides dentists with the date our lab can return a case to their office. If the date provided on-line does not meet appointment requirements, clients are instructed to phone the lab and make special arrangements.
Some clients still prefer to order their cases in advance by phone instead of on-line. In these instances, we simply go to the on-line site we have created for the client and place the on-line order for him/her. Cases not ordered in advance get scheduled at the time of arrival in the lab and thus have to wait longer to be completed.
Dental team members love the system! On-line advanced ordering is done by an office team member when booking a patient’s appointment. It takes less than a minute per case. Prescriptions are printed out, filed and sent to the lab with impressions. Dentists often make last minute handwritten notes on the prescription prior to shipping the case. Smile-Vision enters them into the computer when the case arrives at the lab.
Additionally, the Labnet program allows dental offices to view case progress on-line, drastically reducing time-wasting phone calls to the lab. All financial information is on the same password protected site, eliminating the need for the lab to send out statements – a major saving in time and expense. The Labnet program creates even more efficiency by allowing clients or our lab to attach digital images and other digital documents to the lab prescription for easy access to all.
The Internet provides the opportunity for labs to communicate with their dentist clients as never before, offering unprecedented benefits to both. We suggest that labs not using the web, to communicate with their clients to get stared ASAP! Most up-to-date lab computer programs provide this option.
Jonathan Brooks received his M.D.T. Degree in Dental Technology in September 2007.

Smile Vision is located at 143 California Street, Newton, MA 02458. Phone: (800) 634-3480

American Society of Master Dental Technologists (ASMDT) Master’s Certificated International Program

ASMDT is a highly recognized teaching institution established in 1974 in the state of New York, U. S.A. ASMDT is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dental Prosthologist Development Corporation (DPDC), a New York State, U. S. A. Corporation. All equipment, materials, and supplies are exclusively provided to ASMDT students by DPDC.

ASMDT offers the Master Dental Technologists (MDT) course for Dental Technicians in 2 study variants, the On-Site Hands on Course, and the Home Study Course. The Home Study Course is a Learn at Your Own Pace program that contains 18 MDT DVD’s which encompasses the exact curriculum as the Hands-On course. Home Study students are encouraged to complete their course in 12 months and present their work to the Board of Examiners in New York U. S. A. at the end of their semester when possible.

The MDT Master’s Certificated Course is a non-academic university based program. Our Master’s Certificated Curriculum, Course, and Diplomas are recognized by the U. S. Department of Education via TheNational Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) and recognized by the U. S. CDT and N Y U College of Dentistry’s Continuing Education credit systems; our Master’s Certification diplomas are internationally recognized through out the world.

ASMDT will provide U. S. visa invitation letters for all non U. S. students of ASMDT who need U. S. visas for Board of Examiner presentations and graduation.      

1.    MDT On-Site Hands On Course is taught at New York University College of Dentistry, Department of Continuing Education in New York City, New York, U. S. A. MDT classes are offered on alternating Saturdays, 18 sessions from late September / early October to July each year. Upon completion of the course each student presents their work to the Board of Examiners for final grades in August each year at New York University College of Dentistry Department of Continuing Education in New York City, New York, U. S. A. Graduation ceremonies and diploma issuances follows in mid August. For all foreign students, diplomas are issued shortly after Board of Examiners presentations. 
2.    Master Dental Technologist Home Study Program – the 12 months Program is perfectly suited for dental technology practitioners throughout the world. The Home Study Program is a condensed Course - a product of 35 years of educational experience - that gives an opportunity to learn step-by-step procedures at your own place in your time frame. The Program consists of eighteen sessions, which include anatomy, physiology, and hands-on practical maxillary-mandibular reconstruction cases. Pre-positioned maxillary-mandibular casts and dies prepared for mounting on an adjustable Articulator with a mechanical incisal platform, provide the functions for reconstruction. The Course is complete with manuals, models, semi-adjustable articulator, instruments and all supplies are shipped to the students by mail.  Our Course is extremely comprehensive with substantial hands-on experience and lectures on DVDs by leaders in the field of Dentistry.  Each session contains supplemental self-testing materials; this is an interactive effort: the students have the option to send their summary reports for overview and critique to Program Managers at ASMDT . Audiovisual programming provides a stop-and-go feature that simplifies the overall learning concept.
    
Since 1974  over 700 technicians have graduated the Course and were awarded with Master’s Certification diplomas. Among them are the practitioners from Russia and the Ukraine. It should be noted that in many cases our graduates have found more challenging and financially rewarding jobs; while some of them upon graduation were promoted to higher positions in their existing businesses. The graduate testimonials can be found at our Web-site at www.asmdt.com

International MDT Course: Russian Technologist Testimonial

Привет, коллеги!

Я, Вадим Нисанов, Master Dental Technologist, владелец National Dental Laboratory, Inc. в штате Нью Джерси, США. После 20 лет работы в зуботехнических лабораториях СССР, Нью-Йорка и Нью Джерси на должностях зубного техника, менеджера и президента лаборатории, я поступил на курсы ASMDT при New York University College of Dentistry. Процесс обучения и программа курсов включает в себя широкий диапазон лекций, охватывающих как детальные процедуры работы зубного техника, так и глобальные тенденции и перемены, с которыми сталкивается наша индустрия. Большая часть времени уделена изучению анатомии, функции стоматологической системы и концепции центральной окклюзии.
Коллектив и инструкторы ASMDT обладают большим стажем практической работы и теоретическими знаниями, и всегда готовы оказать помощь в ежедневной работе студентов.
Vadim Nisanov, MDT, President, Dental Laboratory, Inc.
nationaldlusa@gmail.com