Increasing Operational Efficiency

Lab management: key internal and external techniques to maximize your ROI

By Susan van Kinsbergen, CDT

Commercial Supporter: Kulzer

There are numerous ways to take advantage of CAD/CAM—ie, computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing—even without actually purchasing equipment. Work can be completely outsourced, partially outsourced—eg, by scanning and sending to a partner laboratory—or completely handled in-house. However, it is by fully incorporating CAD/CAM into the laboratory workflow that laboratories can reap the benefits of operational efficiency, maximizing advantages—such as streamlined production and increased capacity with reduced labor costs. Effectively achieving this objective hinges on cultivating staff buy-in and implementing effective leadership in the laboratory.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Describe the different ways laboratories can incorporate CAD/CAM

• Understand how to encourage laboratory technician buy-in for new technology

• Discuss the issue of leadership related to CAD/CAM

About the Author

Susan van Kinsbergen, the owner of SvKConsulting in Newport Beach, CA, has over 30 years of practical experience, 10 in management, in a variety of dental environments and departments. Susan has served as operations manager, Winter Laboratory (Laguna Beach, CA); general manager, DFF Dental Laboratory (Portland, OR) and operations manager, Issaquah Dental Laboratory/Issaquah Milling Center (Issaquah, WA). She is a Recognized Specialist at the Kois Center in Seattle, WA and participant at the Scottsdale Center in the “Mastery of Esthetics on Implants and Teeth - Creating Natural Beauty” program (Scottsdale Center for Dentistry, Scottsdale, AZ).