Ahead of his session at Dental Technology Showcase this May, Jack Marrano shares his perspective on the changing dental laboratory landscape and the forces reshaping the future of the profession.

You are speaking at the Show about the changing dental laboratory landscape. What prompted you to focus on this topic now?
This is something every laboratory is experiencing, but very few people are openly talking about it. Whether you are in the UK or the US, the challenges are remarkably similar. Both the clinical and technical sides of dentistry are going through a period of turbulence, some of it positive, some of it more difficult. I believe the best way forward is through open discussion and the sharing of ideas. If we are honest about what is changing and why, we are in a much better position to navigate it together.

Workforce decline and reduced access to technician training feature heavily in your session. How serious is this challenge for laboratories today? 
It is incredibly serious. In many ways, it is the single biggest issue facing laboratories worldwide. In the US, there is effectively no new intake of technicians in the early career age range, and the situation is very similar in the UK. At the same time, the majority of the existing workforce is over the age of 45. When you have a profession with very few people entering it and a large proportion approaching retirement, that puts laboratories in an extremely vulnerable position.

Why do you think fewer people are entering the profession?
It is a combination of factors. There has been a significant decline in university programmes offering dental technology training, largely due to funding constraints. Many institutions simply cannot keep pace with modern workflows or equipment. When graduates do enter laboratories, they often require extensive retraining. This creates additional pressure on laboratories that are already stretched for time and resources.

Your presentation also looks at the pace of digital and material innovation. Is this easing pressure on laboratories or creating new challenges?
The honest answer is both. Technology has the potential to ease a lot of pressure, particularly around efficiency and workflow consistency. However, it also requires constant engagement. Laboratories have to stay informed, be willing to adapt and invest time in adoption. Change is never easy, especially in a profession that is highly skilled and deeply personal, but ignoring innovation is far riskier.

A key question in your talk is whether high-end aesthetics can still be achieved with modern materials. What is your view?
This is something I feel very strongly about. Adopting modern workflows does not mean lowering standards. The fundamentals of aesthetics, form and function have not changed. What has changed is how we get there. With the right materials and support products, laboratories can maintain exceptional aesthetic outcomes while benefiting from greater efficiency and consistency. Technology should support craftsmanship, not replace it.

AI features in your session as an emerging influence on laboratory workflows. Where is it already adding value?
AI is already adding significant value in areas such as case design, data handling and standardised restorative work. It allows highly skilled technicians to focus their expertise where it is most needed, such as complex or aesthetic cases, rather than repetitive tasks. AI should be viewed as a way to protect specialist expertise, not dilute it.

Collaboration between clinicians and laboratories is a recurring theme at the BDCDS. How is that relationship changing?
Collaboration has improved dramatically, largely due to digital communication and shared workflows. Digital impressions, shared platforms and faster feedback loops have transformed how laboratories and clinicians work together. Keeping cases within a digital ecosystem reduces delays, improves clarity and supports better outcomes for everyone involved, including the patient.

Finally, looking beyond the Show, what do you see as the biggest priority for dental laboratories over the next few years?
Adoption, adoption, adoption! Laboratories must be willing to adopt new technologies, materials and workflows. The laboratories that will succeed are those that remain open-minded, proactive and committed to evolving while holding on to the core principles of quality and collaboration. Waiting or hesitating only makes the gap harder to close.