The 10 participants for the Panthera Master Cup have been revealed. We speak to Lola Welch about what the competition involves, why she chose to take part and what being selected means to her.
Please introduce yourself
My name is Lola Welch and I’m a senior prosthetic implant technician at Ceramic Designs Laboratory in Hove.
Can you tell us a bit about the Panthera Master Cup?
The Panthera Master Cup is an international competition ran by Panthera Dental every year.
The Master Cup was created to find the most skilled and talented dental technician who wants to compete with the best by doing a complete implant supported dental prosthesis.
It requires tonnes of knowledge and skill including function and aesthetics. We are evaluated by a panel of five judges and, although we now know the final 10 participants, the final three are selected in an anonymous process to give everybody a fair chance.
Why did you choose to get involved?
I’m an ex-competitive rower and the idea of a championship that includes dental technology (which I truly love) was just too strong to ignore.
I’ve also heard that it’s an amazing learning process and I truly believe this experience will make be a better technician no matter what the outcome is.
What does being a finalist involve?
Now the top 10 has been selected, we have all received the same full mouth implant-supported restorations and all the necessary materials and equipment.
We have all already won an amazing Artex CR carbon articulator. To see the list of the rest of the prices, just have a look at the website. They are amazing! But that’s what you get with sponsors like Amann Girrbach, Vita and LMT.
Each year the competition has a different theme/patient scenario and this year it’s a Bollywood Smile. How exciting does this sound? We now have until the end of July to complete our cases, including documentation, and send them back to Canada.
What does it mean to you to be selected?
It means everything!
Just to see myself amongst so many talented and skilled technicians made me feel proud and privileged. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and I promise to give it the best I can!
What do you hope to achieve through this experience?
I hope to learn and push myself out of my comfort zone!
Being in the top ten is already super validating, but the top three would feel even better.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to wish good luck to all the participants! We have a split 50/50 male to female competition this year and two UK participants.
They are all a bunch of the most skilled technicians. Bring the game on!
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