The Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) 2026 has once again cemented its place as the UK’s only dedicated event for dental laboratories, with this year’s show at NEC Birmingham attracting over 1,400 delegates across two inspirational days (15–16 May). 

Co-located with the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS), DTS brought together dental technicians, laboratory owners and industry partners for a programme packed with practical insight, hands-on learning and future-focused innovation. 

The programme featured over 50 industry-accomplished speakers delivering cutting-edge content across 3 dedicated theatres – the DTS Lecture Theatre, Dental Technicians’ Hub and Digital Dentistry Theatre. Delegates benefited from more than 40 hours of complimentary eCPD, with sessions tailored specifically for dental technicians, laboratory owners, orthodontic technicians, clinical dental technicians and the wider lab team. 

The power of networking continued to be one of the biggest draws for delegates, with technicians, lab owners and industry partners using the two days to strengthen existing relationships, forge new connections and exchange ideas. From the exhibition floor and conference theatres to the informal spaces in between, DTS provided a platform for meaningful collaboration across the dental technology community. 

A few highlights included: 

• Mike Gregory, Clinical Director at Deo-Dental, on ‘Train your dentist to send you the best clinical work’, an insightful session on how clearer communication, trust and shared standards between clinicians and technicians can elevate case quality and improve outcomes 

• Jack Marrano, President of Absolute Dental Services, who flew in from the United States to present ‘The changing landscape’, exploring how digital workflows and evolving materials are reshaping the profession 

• Nina Frketin delivered an honest and hopeful session on imposter syndrome, exploring why it affects so many dental technicians and how shared experiences can help the profession move forward 

• The Digital Dentistry Theatre, delivered expert-led sessions on advanced CAD/CAM workflows, 3D printing and the latest in digital implant dentistry 

• Headline speakers Piers Linney MBE (former Dragons’ Den investor) and Elizabeth Day (bestselling author and host of the How to Fail podcast) delivered keynotes in the BDA Theatre, open to all DTS delegates 

The new DentalPod show feature was a triumph, bringing together some of the most popular voices in dentistry for live, unfiltered conversations on the hot topics shaping the profession. Highlights included Andrea Johnson, Chair and CEO of Den-Tech, who joined the DentalPod line-up to discuss the GDC’s revised scope of practice for dental technicians and what it means for the profession. 

Alongside the world-class education programme, delegates explored innovations from more than 60 leading suppliers and manufacturers, taking advantage of exclusive offers, live demonstrations and hands-on training – from the latest in digital workflows and 3D printing to materials, equipment and business solutions for the modern dental laboratory. 

Senior Show Manager Stewart Turner said: ‘DTS 2026 has been another fantastic two days for the dental lab community. The energy across the theatres and exhibition floor was brilliant, and it’s clear that there is a real appetite among technicians and lab owners for dedicated education, innovation and connection. We’re proud to deliver the UK’s only event focused entirely on the dental technology profession and we’re already looking ahead to how we can build on this success.’ 

DTS will return to NEC Birmingham on 14–15 May 2027, promising another unmissable two days of inspiration, education and innovation for the dental lab community. For updates, register your interest here.