I have been a dental technician for over 20 years. I had been working as ceramist and prosthetic technician in laboratories with very high standards and owned by German technician – masters. I went through many dental departments from model, waxing, prosthetic, composite, metal and ceramic departments in my country Latvia.
Moving to the UK was big step in my life, I still wanted to continue my profession in the UK as a dental technician. I was looking for possible employment, but could not find a lab in the area doing the work I had been doing, so I started looking into the possibility of setting up my own lab.
I completed a BTEC national Diploma and three years Foundation degree and two years of BSc Hons degree at Nottingham College .
At the same time I was running a lab and doing my degrees so it was very hard time! Learning the English language was the hardest part for me. When Chris was ask me to explain how I am operating from home I was thinking how can I write as my English is not so good but I think over the years on I am improved a lot!
I am happy that was integrated here in UK and I can talk fluently and can work with my clients and no any language barriers .
I didn’t have much business experience, so I approached my husband as a partner and ask him to help me to set up a lab . At first I was set up lab in town centre Boston, there was big premises which I was rented .
I wanted a big lab with technicians but it didn’t work out because all my clients were very used to my work only and in no way wanted to accept other technician work. Then I decided that I wanted my own set up lab at home. So me and my husband decided that we can convert our old garage into a nice lab. Everything was altered windows placed, insulated walls, ceiling and walls been painted.
Electricity been put on place as well by professional electricians as well as a water supply. I started to make a plan to make sure I have all legal paperwork in place the DLA helped and the Local Council advice was very good.
The new laboratory looked very spacious and clean. I knew what equipment I need to buy as it depended on what work I was doing.
I implemented Merz Prem Eco Line Pourable Acrylic System for denture work. That was a new thing for me, I had a rep from Skillbond that time and went through all the system with me, I learned how to use for denture work. I attended a course with Roy Davies at Oakview Dental laboratory. Still using Merz acrylic and pourable acrylic from John Winters are great too.
I am capable on the crown and bridge side so I set up everything for that, bought two Vita porcelain furnaces ,Vita pressing furnace for pressing dislicate glass and can use for conventional porcelain work.
I have been working with Vita material all my time as ceramist with Vita Vm 9, Vm7,Vm13. I bought a Multimat C furnace which was second hand so I knew that I wanted to try different porcelain as well, like E max porcelain.
I am in the process to try new porcelain material Soprano and Livento press and always keen to try new materials and explore them how they will work in my lab, how they will improve my quality of my work. Spending more on self learning, reading articles and social contact with others technicians. I am also attending regular ceramic courses .
I had all the usual equipment required to produce lab work to a consistently high standard, Artex, Denar articulators, work benches, burn out furnace, automatic vacuum mixers, a sandblaster unit, polymerising unit, model trimer, vibrating table and a steam cleaner.
I set up three dental benches in lab for separate areas, one for doing wax work only, one to build up porcelain and one for trimming with a special extraction unit.
I am always careful not contaminating materials together, for example porcelain will be contaminated and that’s will not be a good quality job.
I like cleanliness as it helps me concentrate with what I am doing ,of course I have messy bench sometimes when I have some big cases!
I do crown and bridge work, composite work from Gradia, Nexco, prosthetic work, and high standard of cosmetic work. Hand crafted composite crowns, full single zirconia, zirconia bridges and diagnostic wax ups.
I do all vacuum formed appliances nightguards, bleaching trays and essix retainers. For sports guards I will send to another lab.
I have about four places where I am sending my lab work to that involves a stages which I can´t do in lab.
As I work alone I have behind me very talented dental technicians who help me with my work like milling crowns, designing of chrome frames and printing models.
My husband helps me to pick up and deliver jobs everyday. He needs to visit about three ,four practices daily. All other work I am sending by post which is far away to deliver.
My ambition was to buy a Medit Scaner from Blueprint Dental, which was a big step to digital side. I don’t have any experience to scan and design so and still for me that a big challenge.
This new equipment drastically enhances the quality and variety of the restoration pieces I supply to practitioners including crowns, bridges, zirconia substructures.
I have had a lot of support from Andrew Wheeler who helps me to go through the scan and design.
I still need to learn more and more everyday. As I work on my own I don’t have anyone in lab daily to ask questions, that’s why I use Facebook for Dental Technicians Great Britain Facebook Group page and it is very helpful for me, I have gained many good experienced friends technicians who help me in my every day life in lab.
It is important for me to continue attending courses where is possible that gives me more knowledge and confidence to do my job properly to the highest standard.
I still do metal ceramic restorations ,like single pbc and small anterior, posterior bridges but my choice is always metal free restorations.
As a ceramist I invest in organising my own time, designing crowns with good shape and colour. I think that’s the most important thing for the patient to receive high quality crowns and of course to show clients my experience.
I am doing both parts ceramic and prosthetic because there was big demand from my clients along with dentures. I found this very challenging learning to do both. I consider myself more as a ceramist then prosthetic technician. This will probably change as I have been doing less denture work than ceramic and moving more toward crown and bridge side.
To learn more CAD CAM in the future is definitely about digital impressions and printing models.
The goal is to make my job easier – that’s all the reps says to me! Digital technology from my point of view will never be a substitute for an artist!
I really hope this will all be over soon and we all can go back and be happy with what we do.
I think one of the best decisions I made was to work from home and be on my own. I hope this can help you choose what is best for you and feel free as I do. I am not afraid to ask for help or questions which was always a worry for me, but that is the only way you can go forward. Stay safe!