Ashley Byrne explains why dental technicians’ mental health is suffering and how they can seek support to improve it.
Let’s be honest. Running a dental lab right now is tough. It’s always been a juggling act but lately, in my role as Dental Lab Association (DLA) communications officer, I am seeing an alarming rise in lab owners reaching out to me – and not in a positive way.
Most people outside the lab world assume lab owners are living the dream: we’re our own bosses, we work with amazing tech, and we post the best bits on social media – cases that sparkle, team away days, and the occasional swanky looking machine. But that’s not the full picture. Not even close.
Behind the scenes, many lab owners are struggling. I’ve spoken to dozens of brilliant lab leaders over the last 12 months, and the same worrying trends keep cropping up. They are suffering with stress, anxiety, sleepless nights and even depression. Yet it’s rarely talked about, especially not publicly. And that’s part of the problem.
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