Introducing Laboratory's Leading 20 for 2023!

Here we celebrate the major players of the laboratory community – those who are driving dental technology forward. Meet Labroatory‘s Leading 20…

We are delighted to present you with Laboratory‘s Leading 20 for the very first time – a list that recognises the skill, influence and passion of the UK dental laboratory industry.

In a first-of-its-kind for the UK, we are celebrating the best names in the lab world, highlighting the excellent work that is spearheaded by dental technicians and their teams, as well as the sector’s ever-growing influence within the dental profession as a whole.

Dentistry has been rocked by dramatic change in the last few years, introducing challenges and pressures that have never been seen before. But as always, dental technology demonstrated resilience, drive and an impressive ability to innovate in an ever-evolving world.

And we believe this is just the beginning. That is why we will be bringing you Laboratory‘s Leading 20 every year going forward so that the entire dental profession can pause to celebrate the efforts of the UK’s incredible laboratory industry.

Inspiring individuals

Narrowing down the huge number of nominations to just 20 individuals was no mean feat. Rest assured that no name on this list was chosen lightly and is the result of days of lengthy discussion and deliberation from the entire team.

Lucy Veal, editor of Laboratory, said: ‘I’m thrilled that we are able to publish Laboratory’s first ever Leading 20.

‘For over a decade, Dentistry‘s Top 50 has acknowledged the key players and game-changers in the dental profession, so I’m very happy that the dental laboratory community is finally getting the recognition and celebration that it deserves.

‘With such a huge pool of talent to choose from, it was incredibly difficult to whittle down the list to just 20 names.

‘We are so pleased – and proud – to recognise these inspiring individuals and I hope you will join us in celebrating their achievements.’

Introducing Laboratory‘s Leading 20 for 2023…

Laboratory‘s Leading 20 B-C

Bethany Brown – Dental technician and educator improving standards in technical work through accessible training
Ashley Byrne – Pioneering lab owner and thought leader driving the agenda for sector modernisation
Steve Campbell – President of the Dental Laboratories Association
Tais Clausen – Technical innovator, investor and co-founder of 3shape
Ian Cumberland – Vice president of the Dental Laboratories Association

Laboratory‘s Leading 20 E-L

Matt Everatt – Editor-in-chief of Laboratory and director of S4S Dental Laboratory
Nina Frketin – Technician and lecturer championing female technicians as founder of Nightshift
Andrea Johnson – Co-founder and chair of Den Tech, a charity helping provide treatment to vulnerable patients
Tony Knight – Owner of Knight Dental Laboratory and pioneering aesthetic dental technician
Tom Lavery – Chief executive officer of fast-growing laboratory chain ALS
Graham Littlejohn – Digital dental consultant and director at DTS International

Laboratory‘s Leading 20 P-S

Emily Pittard – Clinical dental technician and outspoken advocate for change in the laboratory community
Delroy Reeves – President of the Dental Technologists Association
Bill Sharpling – Influential clinical dental technician and director of the London Dental Education Centre
David Smith – Past GDC council member and DLA chair working to build educational pathways into dental technology
Enrico Steger – Inventor, dental technican and founder of Zirkonzahn
Joanne Stevenson – Vice president of the Dental Technologists Association

Laboratory‘s Leading 20 T-W

Steve Taylor – British Association of Clinical Dental Technology board member championing mental heath awareness
Lola Welch – Key opinion leader for multiple brands championing aesthetic and technical excellence in prosthetics
Co-founder of charity group Alan Wright –Veterans Bite Back and leader of the Dental Technicians Great Britain online community

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This article first appeared in Laboratory. To subscribe to the journal and gain access to 550+ hours of CPD courses, join Dentistry Club silver or gold.