LabMag Special - Change of perspective: What remains, what is to come?

In this last issue of the year, we look ahead – with a special that doesn't focus on new products, but on the big questions behind them: What is changing in our industry? What role does politics play? And what does it mean when laboratories no longer just manufacture, but advise, support and design? Together with specialist journalist Annett Kieschnick, we have summarised developments that will shape dental technology in the future.

Enjoy reading! 

Julian from dentona

Quick Takes | What moves the industry?

Greener shipping with DHL GoGreen Plus: From now on, all parcels at dentona will be shipped climate-neutrally with DHL GoGreen Plus. The CO₂ emissions are offset by certified climate projects – at no extra cost to customers.

TI connection: Start for dental laboratories: The nationwide roll-out begins. First chambers of trade issue eBA and SMC-B. Laboratories can voluntarily connect to the telematics infrastructure. The GKV reimburses hardware and operating costs as a lump sum. eLABZ for digital data exchange is in the starting blocks – VDZI and KZBV are piloting. more

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Deep Dive | Background and perspectives

Digitalisation, automation, platform thinking, all this is changing dental technology. However, the decisive factor is the change in the environment: society, politics and the world of work are shifting. And right in the middle of it all are laboratories that can – and must – ask themselves how they want to survive, shape and grow in this new landscape. 

Who supplies and who is supplied?

Dental technology ensures quality of life. But the system is under pressure: on the one hand, the demand for high-end restorations is growing. On the other hand, inflation, ageing and savings are increasing the need for affordable solutions. Not everyone can afford the best. But everyone deserves a solution that works; technically, medically and economically. 

For laboratories, this means: efficiency yes, but above all openness and a wealth of ideas. Dentures are more than just a technical solution, they are an individual decision that must be medically sensible, affordable and understandable.

📌 Laboratories that adopt a modular approach to care models and also offer smart communication aids open up new scope for action: for example, through digital comparison tools, variant plans or suggestion templates for discussions in the practice.

Young talent: the decisive factor

The fact is that the number of trainees in dental technology is falling and a quarter of employees are over 55. But it's not about numbers - it's about roles. Today, a laboratory is a workshop, digital studio, knowledge centre and support partner. These changes open up new opportunities, especially for people who are looking for creative freedom. But they have to recognise and experience these opportunities.

📌 The way we talk about dental technology today shapes how attractive this profession will be tomorrow. If you want to get people excited about dental technology, you have to choose the right language and channels.

Global interlinking - local response

The global political situation has also reached the dental industry: trade barriers, tariffs on certain products, delivery delays and unstable raw material prices. All the more reason for dentona to position itself clearly.

"We develop, produce and store in Germany - not out of nostalgia, but out of conviction; because we believe in tangible contacts, in predictable delivery capability, in solutions that make you independent."

📌 For laboratories, it is worth asking critical questions: Which systems are sustainable in the long term? Which suppliers can deliver even in times of crisis? And how can production be made resilient through automation or modular processes?

From manufacturer to enabler

What else connects laboratories and manufacturers? The shift from product focus to solution expertise. Dental technology is more than just handing over a bridge – dental technology is collaboration, coordination, communication. Even dentona no longer sees itself solely as a materials specialist. “Our offerings – from didex to d.connect to LabMag – are part of an ecosystem that supports laboratories: with knowledge, with structure, with support.”

Media and technology skills are also coming into focus: the more digital tools become part of our everyday working lives, the more important the ability to evaluate, categorise and responsibly pass on information becomes.

📌 Good dentures need not only new software, but orientation. Anyone talking about new treatment models should rethink forms of communication. Digital tools such as animated variant comparisons, consultation avatars or patient information templates can help to make options easier to understand.

A look ahead: What LabMag 2026 will bring

In the coming year, we would like to engage in exchange with you on these and other topics – in LabMag, at d.connect and wherever dental technology is discussed and practised. We will be talking about generational change, automation and new roles, social responsibility and the feminisation of dentistry.  

Dental technology is changing – with society, with technology, with people. And those who realise this will not only react, but also shape.

Meet & Learn | Dates & Training

• Zahntechnik Plus: 06.03. and 07.03.2026, Leipzig: The industry meeting enters its third round. The Congress Center Leipzig will once again be the meeting point for German dental technology. more