Behind the Smiles: Why Dental Technicians Deserve the Spotlight

Oct 3, 2025

Behind the Smiles: Why Dental Technicians Deserve the Spotlight

Dental technicians are the unsung heroes of dentistry. Behind every crown, denture, or aligner is a skilled professional whose work patients rarely see, but whose impact is enormous.

In our latest Behind the Smiles podcast, Nipun Kathuria sat down with Matt Everatt, Director at S4S Dental and Editor of Laboratory Magazine, to discuss the technician shortage, the digital transformation of labs, and why raising the profile of technicians matters more than ever.

From Hospitals to Building S4S Dental

Matt’s journey started in hospital labs, specialising in maxillofacial technology and orthodontics, before co-founding S4S Dental in 2005.

What sets S4S apart? A culture of innovation. The team experimented with 3D printing before it was even affordable, and to this day, they embrace trial, error, and learning.

“There’s no blame culture at S4S, we try things, we make mistakes, and we learn. That’s what drives innovation.” – Matt Everatt

Why Technicians Deserve Recognition

As Editor of Laboratory Magazine, Matt has made it his mission to shine a light on technicians.

Unlike dentists, hygienists, or therapists, technicians often go unseen by patients, even though they produce the restorations that patients depend on daily.

Through awards, features, and initiatives like the Laboratory Leading 20, Matt is raising awareness and giving technicians the recognition they deserve.

“Behind every successful dentist, there’s often a brilliant lab technician. Yet patients rarely see or know about the people who actually make their teeth.” – Nipun Kathuria

The Technician Shortage: A Growing Challenge

Today, the UK faces a serious technician shortage. One statistic stood out during the episode:

In the UK, there are 9 dentists for every 1 dental technician.
In Europe, the ratio is closer to 3 dentists per technician.
In the US, it’s about 4.5 dentists per technician.

This gap is worrying. An ageing workforce, declining training programs, and fewer registrations mean that the number of technicians is shrinking, even as demand grows.

“We’re on the cusp, if we can attract fresh talent and support them with digital tools, the future is bright. If not, it could become unsustainable.” – Matt Everatt

Technology: the lifeline for labs

Despite the pressures, there’s hope. Labs that adopt new technologies, CAD/CAM systems, 3D printing, and digital workflows are thriving.

Matt’s own lab, S4S, was an early adopter of 3D printing (back when the machines were still being tested on Formula 1 car parts!). Today, innovation is baked into their culture:

No-blame environment where mistakes = learning.
Leadership that encourages curiosity.
A commitment to collaboration, not competition.

And it’s not just S4S, many UK labs are opening their doors, sharing knowledge, and pushing the whole industry forward.

Building Stronger Lab–Dentist Relationships

One of the most insightful parts of the conversation was about the relationship between dentists and labs.

Matt explained that the dental business is highly personal; it’s not just clinic-to-lab, but dentist-to-technician. Many dentists bring their lab relationships with them as they move between practices. That trust and rapport are what lead to consistently high-quality outcomes.

At S4S, this philosophy is central:

Dentists can speak directly with the technician who made their case.
Digital tools and portals make communication seamless.
Even WhatsApp voice notes are used to speed up collaboration.

“If the dentist and technician have a strong relationship, magical things happen. The quality of the work, the consistency, it all improves.” – Matt Everatt

A More Open, Collaborative Future

The lab industry has shifted from being closed and competitive to collaborative and open.

Labs now share insights, invite tours, and learn from each other, raising standards across the industry.

This cultural shift, Matt believes, will shape the next era of dental labs, one built on cooperation, not secrecy.

Key Takeaways

Dental technicians are the hidden heroes of dentistry, but their visibility and recognition are growing.

The technician shortage is real, and without apprenticeships and career pathways, the profession risks decline.
Innovation is cultural: labs that experiment, learn, and adopt digital tools early are leading the way.
Relationships matter most: successful dentistry relies on strong lab–dentist partnerships.
Collaboration over competition: the modern dental lab world is more open and cooperative than ever before. A culture of collaboration over competition is raising standards across the profession.