The role of the dental technician has come a long way since 1887—the year when Dr. W. H. Stowe and his cousin, Frank F. Eddy, opened the doors of the first standalone dental laboratory in America. The continuous efforts of technicians through the years have created new technological advancements, higher standards in prosthetic function and esthetics, and a close collaboration between dental professionals that allows for the sharing of expertise and better patient outcomes.

The National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) and the National Board for Certification of Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) have designated the month of June as Dental Technician and CDT Appreciation Month. In celebration, we at IDT would like to share some of our favorite cover stories that explore the important roles and accomplishments of technicians and CDTs.

In this month’s issue, we discuss The Dental Technician of Today and Beyond, explore the evolution of the laboratory from ten years ago to the present, and speculate about where the future will take us.

As the industry has changed, the role of the dental technician has broadened and expanded, leading to increasingly close collaboration between laboratories and dentists. The Power of Connection explores the tremendous value of the relationships that form between technicians, dentists, and patients.

And finally, we look to the technicians of the future. In The Next Generation Speaks, we interviewed five up-and-coming young technicians about their views on the industry’s continuing evolution.

IDT would like to thank all of our technician and CDT authors, Editorial Board members, and readers for all that they do. Happy Technician and CDT Appreciation Month!