Craftsmen? Think Again
"That’s what we are - craftsmen. Our industry is made up of craftsmen. We work with our hands, that labels dental technicians as craftsmen.“
This repeated conversational bombardment of eluding to the idea that dental technicians are dental craftsmen triggered a sour note and led me to go into a somewhat lengthily response to this individual. Craftsman. It sounds a little archaic wouldn’t you agree? I have no objection with the title of craftsman for any occupation - except this one: dental technology. I mean, really are you kidding me? We’re dental technologists. What we do is not a craft. We are a highly trained dental professional that create - yes that’s right, create - natural looking teeth for people who desperately need them.
Go tell that to all the technicians that use CAD/CAM software to create dental restorations. See what they say. The vast array of computer-based systems that we utilize for the creation of dental prosthetics is zillions of miles away from being labeled as dental craftsmen.
Go tell that to technicians that process cases involving implants and the like. Cases that require such technical expertise that would make a craftsman’s hair stand on end. See how they respond.
Go tell those technicians that consult with dentists, prosthodontists, orthodontists and oral surgeons. Go ahead, ask them if they like their craft.
How about the dental tech that found a way to design a partial dentures that allows patients with oral cancer to wear partials with optimal comfort and function they never experienced before. It’s a first of it’s kind in the world and uses CAD/CAM-based protocols and cutting edge hardware. It is an absolute miracle; a new lease on life to those patients. Craftsmen? Go ask those patients. Maybe magicians but not craftsmen. See how they feel. We can alter the life of people in a positive way.
Power? What does that mean: power. Let’s not ask each other what that means. Let’s ask the fashion models that rely on their their smiles. Created in large part by their beautiful teeth that were created by guess who, craftsmen? No, try professional dental technologists.
Let’s ask Hollywood actors that rely on their smile to get that part. Entertainers rely on their esthetic qualities to enhance their careers. Their esthetic qualities are the tools of their trade.
They rely on that stuff to get rich and famous.
The stuff that we create enhances confidence in people. Don’t believe me? Go ask the individual that is about to go into a job interview. You think that great smile is an advantage to getting that job? People go into a dental office with concerns about how they look. Their self confidence is low. They often feel unsure of themselves. They leave with a smile and appearance that makes them feel like they were reborn. I know because this happened to me. Imagine that! And I’m a dental technician! Craftsmen? No way.
Let me ask you: Is Picasso a craftsmen? I always thought he was a painter. An artist. Wait a minute, he works with his hands, right? A surgeon saves lives working with his hands. I guess he’s a craftsmen. I thought he was a physician. I have a feeling that if I called him a craftsmen he might use his surgical tools on me with results I rather not think about.
Finally, let me mention a couple of professions and how they see themselves. Garbage men became sanitation engineers. Janitors became industrial hygienists. I’m sure you can name more.
Get my drift? We design and create dental restorations with and without our hands. We utilize CAD/CAM-based software to do the same. The future holds technical advances we cannot image! Craftsman? Are you kidding?