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CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

I 43 feature _ interview I CAD/CAM 1_2013 _During a press conference in December in Cologne, the Chairman of the Association of Ger- manDentalManufacturers,DrMartinRickert,said that the outlook for markets in Southern Europe is rather negative owing to the financial constraints the health-care sector is facing at the moment. Whatisthesituationreallylikethere? It is no secret that some countries in Southern Europe that suffered most from the financial crisis areshowinganegativetrendwithregardtodental investments. It is likely that this will be reflected in the sales figures from last year. _Where do you see the industry heading, and what segments are the most likely to grow in the nextfewyears? We will definitely see significant growth in digital dentistry as new technologies like intra- oral scanners, as well as digital imaging and planning instruments, find their way into dental practices. Dental laboratories too are increasingly making use of CAD/CAM technology. Both these developments will determine how the market and the dental business models will develop in the future. _Europe has traditionally been one of the largest markets for dental material and equip- ment, rivalled only by North America. How im- portanthavemarketsoverseasbecome? It goes without saying that in terms of eco- nomic growth, spending ability and other factors, theBRICcountriesholdgreatpotential.Dentaldis- tributors in Europe will be involved in this process as we gain access to other products and technolo- giesfromaroundtheworld.Fromthis,competition will only increase within the EU. Our members will havetofollowthesechangescarefullyandlearnto respond to them in a professional and transparent manner. _Thankyoufortheinterview._ Visitors watching a product presentation at IDS 2011. According to Deschietere, European dental practitioners and laboratories have become rather reluctant to make large investments. (Photo courtesy of Koelnmesse) “...it is essential to impose new regulations in order to increase traceability of dental products within and beyond the borders of the EU.”