The Dental LABCast

05 - Built by Experience: Ceramics, Clinical Insight & Teaching the Craft with Dean Brew

Dean Brew is a dental ceramist with over a decade of real-world clinical experience, working chairside with dentists and patients to understand what truly works in modern ceramics. Since 2010, and from an on-site lab in the North East of England since 2012, he has developed a hands-on, results-driven approach shaped by global training and daily clinical collaboration. His work is built on communication, precision, and seeing cases through from planning to final fit. Now delivering courses and mentorship, Dean shares practical, experience-led insights to help others improve their craft. With a growing focus on digital workflows like Exocad, his mission is simple: keep learning, keep evolving—and help others do the same. The conversation covers Dean Brew's career journey in dental technology, his learning and development, managing patient expectations, and the challenges of shade matching. From his early start in dental technology to his current role, Dean shares insights into the evolution of his career and the challenges he has faced. The discussion also delves into the importance of continuous learning, effective communication with patients and clinicians, and the complexities of shade matching in dental ceramics. The conversation delves into the complexities of shade matching and the Vita Shade Guide, as well as the challenges and considerations in dental material choices. It also explores the impact of on-site clinics, impression techniques, digital vs. analog workflow, material costs, and the dynamics of teaching and learning ceramics. The conversation covers the adaptation to new techniques and materials in dental ceramics, the transition to full contour and monolithic techniques, challenges in dental milling and material placement, the impact of digital tools and new materials on traditional methods, frustrations with pricing and quoting in the industry, and the influence of social media on aesthetic expectations and pricing. Takeaways * Career journey * Learning and development * Patient expectations * Shade matching challenges Understanding the complexity of shade matching and the Vita Shade Guide * Challenges and considerations in dental material choices Adaptation to new techniques and materials * Challenges in pricing and quoting for dental work Chapters * 00:00 Career Journey in Dental Technology * 08:03 Patient Expectations * 21:04 Shade Matching Challenges * 31:13 Shade Matching and Vita Shade Guide * 36:44 Impression Techniques and Material Preferences * 42:00 Digital vs. Analog Workflow and Material Costs * 55:14 Adaptation to New Techniques and Materials * 01:02:38 Influence of Social Media on Aesthetic Expectations and Pricing

04 - From Dental Nurse to Digital Pioneer with Julia Glancey

Julia Glancey is a remote digital dental designer with over 20 years’ experience in dentistry. She began as a head dental nurse, leading teams and managing clinics, before retraining as a dental technician—bringing valuable clinical insight into her technical work. She started in prosthetics, with strong experience in removable appliances, before specialising in implant restorations, particularly AOX case assessment, bridge design, and full-arch cases. Julia works across both analog and digital workflows and is proficient in Exocad, Zirkonzahn, and RealGuide, designing prosthetics, surgical guides, and diagnostic wax-ups. She is currently expanding her expertise in crown and bridge design. Alongside her technical career, she has extensive experience in leadership, team development, and performance management. She is passionate about teaching and believes continuous learning and openness to new perspectives are key to growth. Summary The conversation covers the reconnection of dental professionals, the transition from dental nurse to technician, the role of dental nurses, the impact of clinical experience, the importance of communication, learning and knowledge sharing, the transition to implant restorations, the power of social media, ethical considerations, and understanding all-on-four cases and planning. The conversation covered various themes including challenges in restorative dentistry, material selection and patient affordability, patient management and aesthetics, software and dental technology, material advancements and integration, real guide and implant stacking, and the future of dental technology. The discussion highlighted the importance of communication, teamwork, and the role of skilled technicians in the evolving landscape of dental technology. Takeaways * Clinical experience enhances dental technology * Open communication between clinicians and technicians is crucial * Social media has facilitated knowledge sharing in the dental industry Understanding the challenges of working with new dentists * Considerations for material costs and patient affordability * The importance of communication and teamwork in dental restoration * The role of software in dental technology * The significance of material selection and adaptation * The future of dental technology and the integration of digital skills Chapters * 00:00 Understanding All-on-Four Cases and Planning * 43:08 Material Selection and Patient Affordability * 48:31 Software and Dental Technology * 01:07:32 Real Guide and Implant Stacking * 01:16:17 The Future of Dental Technology

03 - Studying Later in Life: The road to becoming a CDT

Sean Ward is a Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) who qualified in dental technology at the age of 31 with a BTEC in Science, following an earlier career in engineering. He began his dental career in a commercial laboratory in Hexham before moving into a research technician role at Dundee Dental School, where he spent three years developing his technical and scientific expertise. He then returned to the commercial sector, specialising in denture work for over a decade and building extensive hands-on experience. Sean later went on to open his own dental laboratory, working closely within a dental practice environment. This allowed him to bridge the gap between laboratory work and clinical care, deepening his understanding of patient-focused dentistry and the full treatment journey. Alongside his clinical and technical work, Sean is also an Associate Tutor at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he supports the next generation of dental professionals In this Episode: Sean Ward shares his journey into dental technology, the challenges of clinical dental technology, and the impact of patient interaction on appliance design. He also discusses the need for business education in dental courses and the importance of patient-centered care. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to dental technology, including clinical techniques, teaching methods, digital technologies, and industry challenges. Sean shares insights on patient experiences, clinical procedures, and the impact of digital advancements on the industry. Takeaways * Dental technology requires a combination of skill, experience, and continuous learning. * Patient interaction and feedback play a crucial role in the design and development of dental appliances. Clinical Techniques * Teaching Methods * Digital Technologies * Industry Challenges * Patient Experiences Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Dental Technology * 05:06 Challenges of Clinical Dental Technology * 11:03 Patient-Centered Care and Appliance Design * 33:26 Clinical Techniques and Tools in Dental Technology * 39:00 Remote Learning and Mentorship in Dental Technology * 44:25 Extended Scope of Practice in Dental Technology * 50:17 Impact of Digital Technologies on Dental Technology * 58:00 Rewarding Moments and Patient Experiences in Dental Technology

02 - Custom Mouthgaurds with Chris Golze

The conversation with Chris Goltz, a custom mouth guard maker, covers his journey in the dental field, from early career experiences to the incorporation of artwork into mouth guards. Chris shares insights on working with high-profile athletes, continuous learning, and the importance of equal treatment in the industry. He also discusses the learning curve in mouth guard making and the value of trial and error in dental technology. Additionally, Chris reflects on his role in assisting and advising other technicians and considers the possibility of teaching a course in the future. The conversation covers a range of topics related to dental tech, including the challenges of transitioning to work, the potential for creating dental tech courses, the importance of proper mouth guard creation, the use of digital technologies, equipment and materials, preferred materials for mouth guards, adoption of digital technologies, challenges in artwork creation, artwork application techniques, and problem-solving in dental tech. The discussion also includes closing remarks and expressions of gratitude for the opportunity to share expertise and knowledge. Takeaways * Custom mouth guard making * Learning and innovation in dental technology Custom mouth guards require skill and technique * Use of digital technologies in dental tech Chapters * 00:00 Introduction and Early Career * 05:47 Transition to Thermoforming * 11:54 Celebrity Clients and Compliance * 17:51 Equal Treatment and Visibility * 24:04 Learning Curve in Mouth Guard Making * 29:55 Assisting and Advising Other Technicians * 35:11 Practicing the Basics * 40:29 Preferred Materials for Mouth Guards * 52:30 Challenges in Artwork Creation * 57:50 Problem-Solving in Dental Tech

01 - Getting into Dental Technology with Edward Mapley

The conversation covers the introduction to dental technology, the journey into the field, the artistry involved, the transition to digital dentistry, required skills and qualifications, training and career progression, and the future of dental technology. The conversation covers the broad skill set of dental technology, its transformative impact on people's lives, the evolving role of dental technicians, the importance of collaboration, the challenges and rewards of the profession, the future of dental technology, the versatility of dental technicians, and the value of dental technology in people's lives. Takeaways * Dental technology career path * Impact of digital dentistry Dental technology is a future-proof career with a broad skill set * The impact of dental technology on people's lives is transformative Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Dental Technology * 08:02 Skills and Qualifications * 30:37 The Future of Dental Technology * 36:04 The Evolving Role of Dental Technicians * 45:47 The Challenges and Rewards of Dental Technology * 53:16 The Versatility of Dental Technicians