Elizabeth Curran, CDT, RDT, Announces Retirement

Elizabeth Curran, CDT, RDT, longtime member of IDT’s Editorial Advisory Board, has retired after a distinguished career as a dental technician and a professor. Since entering the industry in 1974, she has contributed both a deep technical knowledge at Ahwatukee Dental Laboratory in Mesa, Arizona, and a strong dedication to educating the next generation of dental technicians at A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

Curran is known for her invaluable contributions to dental technology education and her passion for improvement to the current system. During her career, she pushed for a mandated minimum 3-year formal education program, plus an elective fourth and fifth year for advanced, specialized study. She has strongly advocated greater educational opportunities to support up-and-coming technicians in their quest to master all the new technologies driving the industry. “The educational programs in place now do a very good job teaching the basics, but the needs of the industry are no longer entry-level technicians,” explained Curran in an interview with IDT about the education crisis in dental technology.

She has also supported greater connectivity between technicians, building thriving social media communities on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook that have brought people together in appreciation of the industry. Her Pinterest page in particular has created a forum that showcases the beauty of teeth and their portrayal in art, film, and culture with dozens of boards and thousands of pins. “You’re not trying to sell anything, just promoting fellowship and creating an environment where everyone can become involved,” she says when describing her successful social media philosophy.

As a woman who joined the profession at a time when there were few to be found in the dental laboratory, her achievements have provided inspiration for other women entering the industry. She has been presented with the NADL Vision Award in recognition of her vision, service, and dedication, as well as the American Prosthodontic Society’s Kenneth D. Rudd Award for her significant contribution to the advancement of prosthodontics and dental laboratory communities.

We at IDT have been honored to call upon her expertise as part of our Editorial Advisory Board and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.