FMC is pleased to announce Laboratory’s Leading 20 – a brand new initiative recognising influence, skill and impact in dental technology, and how it has contributed to the dental profession as a whole.
Every year for over a decade, FMC has revealed the Dentistry Top 50 – the biggest measure of influence, impact and achievement in the dental profession. It aims to recognise dentistry’s key players, change-makers and unsung heroes.
But this year, we’re trying something new. Something that recognises the unique contribution of dental technology to the profession at large.
In 2023, we’re thrilled to unveil Laboratory’s Leading 20.
Vibrancy and dynamism
It’s impossible to celebrate skill, influence and passion in dentistry without acknowledging the world of dental technology. And as one of the most overlooked areas of the profession, why not have a whole new initiative devoted to it?
The UK’s technician community has faced unparalleled disruption in recent years, but it has responded with innovation and resilience. Conditions have been challenging for many laboratories, but out of this adversity, there are businesses bucking trends with growth, expansion and acquisition.
For the right labs, the outlook is rosy – and it’s all because of the people in those labs. These success stories will come as no surprise to the vast majority of our readers. After all, who better than technicians to understand the vibrancy and dynamism inherent in the lab scene?
Because in many ways, the laboratory community is leading the charge for progress in UK dentistry as a whole. Technicians’ adoption of digitalisation has long paved the way for clinical colleagues to embrace technology in their patient-facing work, and now more than ever, that partnership is the calming, guiding force helping dentists take the step into digital dentistry with confidence.
In recent years, too, the changing demographic of technicians and lab owners has given rise to a more modern, adaptable workforce. Throwing off the stereotypical image of dental technicians, this new breed is ideally suited to lead technical work in the UK to a great future.
The community has leaders in abundance – new and old – and at Laboratory, we believe it’s high time these leaders are celebrated.
Who inspires you?
Laboratory’s Top 20 will be selected by the FMC team. But we won’t be working in a vacuum: we’ll be selecting it in consultation with major players in the sector, senior figures and editorial board members – as well as you, the UK dental professional community.
Have your say by emailing [email protected]. Tell us who you think deserves a spot – but be sure to tell us why they should be included. We want to know who you feel has had the biggest impact on the dental laboratory sector in the past 12 months.
Perhaps you’ve been inspired by an incredible educator or mentor. Perhaps you love the impact that some people are having in building bridges with clinicians, or the work done to increase visibility of the technical profession. Of course, you may simply feel that the people really in need of recognition are those producing outstanding restorations – the individuals fusing art and science at the highest level of technical excellence.
All these opinions (and more) are valid: while we’ll be making the final decision on who makes the list, your views matter, so be sure to have your say.
Don’t miss out
Over the summer, we’ll be compiling this feedback and reaching out to our expert panels to build Laboratory’s Leading 20.
And the first place to read it? In the next issue of Laboratory – we’ll be revealing all in the next issue of this magazine, coming out in September.
To ensure you receive a copy, sign up to Dentistry Club today – and don’t forget to tell us who should feature in the meantime!
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