18/05/2026
Claire and I have just returned from the Dental Technology Show at the NEC, and what a thought-provoking couple of days it was!
Here's what stood out:
π Offshore lab work is on the rise β there's a clear and growing push toward cheap overseas lab work, with 'free' digital scanners being used as the hook to draw practices in.
π€ AI dependence is increasing β this signals a real shift, with local technicians needing to take on more advanced, complex work in order to survive and thrive.
π Female-dominant speaker presence β genuinely great to see, and a very welcome change from previous years.
π¦· Full arch restorations dominated the technical lectures β whether through implant workflow or digital denture workflow, alongside a strong lean toward the business of dentistry.
Whilst the majority of lectures argued that layering ceramic is unnecessary, I remain optimistic. Single centrals, lateral incisors, and other single crown restorations are still very much in demand β and these are exactly the cases where hand-layered ceramics make all the difference. Matching a natural, individual tooth requires a level of artistry and skill that no milled or printed restoration can fully replicate. For this reason, we will continue to develop and maintain our layering skills, and will always offer the highest quality, individually crafted restorations tailored to each specific patient.
A huge thank you to GC for their incredible hospitality and a wonderful dinner on Saturday evening π If you popped past their booth, you may have spotted a few of our sample cases on display!