It wasn't the first time dentists registered at LAB DAY®. But it struck me—this time—that these guys know dental technology is the place to be. The way I expressed it when I addressed the Cal-Lab Meeting two days before our show is that "we're a cottage industry looking out our window to see that a highway has been paved right up against our front door!"
It's amazing, gratifying, in fact, to see how upbeat and eager attendees at this year's show were to learn, explore and absorb everything LAB DAY. Despite the storm that hit the northeast, stranding a group of European would-be attendees, as well as a number of others in the northeast corridor whose flights were grounded, we had the second largest turnout ever! And it was nice to see DDSs and DMDs mingling and exploring the exhibit hall along with laboratory decision-makers, including the CDTs, MDTs, RGs and RDTs.
Attendees told us there were so many ground-breaking product introductions that the show was an eye-opener from beginning to end. Our April issue details a full report on everything LAB DAY, including other Chicago events.
In this issue, however, you will read about the 42 digital technology products—on display at the show—that help your workflow. In The State of the Industry 2010, Part II, Directions in Digital Dentistry, you will learn how many laboratories are offering CAM restorations now, how scanners have become a must-have piece of equipment and how new business models are being created because digital technology makes it possible to reinvent ourselves.
As we all continue to make the mind-boggling transition into the digital world, we recognize our power: dentists no longer hold all the cards. We've got a lot going on, everybody's getting into the act and it's our turn to be in the limelight. Let's make sure we know our stuff so we can strut our stuff. As Randy Saunders, Natural Arts Dental Laboratory in San Antonio, so aptly expresses it, we're "educated equals" now.
It all bodes well for a very bright and lively future.
