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news08 IDS 2015 – 10. März 10 March of German Dental Technicians’ Guilds (Verband Deutscher Zahntechniker- Innungen, VDZI) is looking forward with excitement to the innovations on show from 10 to 14 March in Cologne, particularlyinthefieldsofdigitalden- tal technologies and prosthetic mate- rials. Digitalisation is advancing inex- orably, particularly in dental prac- tices and laboratories. New and changing treatment and production processes pose a significant chal- lengebecausetheyarenotonlychang- ing the way practices are run, but also effecting operational structures. Scanning technology is now used by the majority of master dental labo- ratories. In a survey conducted by the VDZI on digital dental technologies, approximately 80 per cent of the labo- ratories reported having at least one device at their disposal and almost half of these can mill using their own devices. FromtheVDZI’spointofview,dig- ital technologies will lead to an even closer collaboration between the den- tal practice and the master dental lab- oratory. The new possibilities for a common approach to patient informa- tion, consulting and the planning of patient-friendly treatment solutions, however, remain largely unutilised. Therefore, the VDZI is aiming to lead an open and constructive discussion about this issue with all members of the dental profession. Moreover, digitalisation dictates co-ordination of treatment and pro- duction processes. The VDZI believes that the master dental laboratories can make a substantial contribution in this regard through their extensive theoretical and practical knowledge ofdentaltechnology,andyieldgreater time savings for dentists. Regardless of the technological developments, dental technology re- mains a quality-assured mastercraft and the master dental laboratories are the guarantor. From the VDZI’s viewpoint, we welcome that German dentists still appreciate the value and the benefits of quality prostheses pro- duced in master laboratories for their treatment success and that they con- sider the high willingness to provide training,thehighqualificationsofthe techniciansthemselves,aswellasthe close proximity to practices in need of their services, as indispensable. In this, the profession lays its trust for the future. Economic situation of dental laboratories in Germany In Germany, 68,000 profession- ally active dentists have access to 8,400 master dental laboratories. In these laboratories, 36,000 qualified dental technicians are employed. Al- most6,200youngpeopleareundergo- ing training to become a dental techni- cian. With a training quota of 20 per cent—seven times higher than the av- erage quota of the total economy—the master laboratories are impressively demonstrating their willingness to provide training in the field. In 2012, approximately €6.7 bil- lion was spent in Germany on dental laboratoryservices,includingmateri- als. The overall revenue of the com- mercial laboratories was about €4.4 billion. From this, € 2.3 billion re- mained in dental practices, as dentists here are allowed to manufac- ture dentures in their own laborato- ries. The average revenue of a labora- tory came to about € 530,000 in 2012, with the overall majority of laborato- ries earning much less however. The number of qualified employ- ees is supported by about 12,000 pe- ripheral staff, who perform services related to production, such as courier services. VDZI at IDS During IDS, the VDZI stand (Hall 11.2, Booth S010/S012) will once again be a contact point for member laboratories and dentists to obtain in- formation on policy and financial is- sues, as well as quality management in dental technology. Furthermore, the VDZI will recog- nise young talent at IDS. Winners of the prestigious Gysi Prize, a competi- tion for dental technology appren- tices, will be awarded during an offi- cial ceremony on 12 March. Industry-leading dental units AD AD page 6