General Dental Council (GDC) CEO Tom Whiting recently visited Byrnes Dental Lab to learn more about dental technology – Ashley Byrne shares how it went.
Earlier this year, at a General Dental Council (GDC) stakeholders’ meeting, I presented on the pressing issues facing dental technology, such as a shrinking workforce, outdated educational offerings and a general lack of awareness about the vital role dental labs play in restorative dentistry. This presentation highlighted the challenges our industry faces and sparked a wider conversation.
In response, Tom Whiting, the newly appointed CEO of the GDC, expressed a keen interest in seeing firsthand how modern dental laboratories operate and understanding their place within the broader dental landscape.
Genuine interest
In mid-August, Tom and Joanne from the GDC arrived at Byrnes Dental Lab with open minds and a genuine interest in our field. We began the day with a presentation that not only outlined the crisis in dental technology, but also emphasised the critical role labs play in the delivery of restorative care.
Tom was highly engaged, asking numerous questions about the industry, listening attentively, and fostering discussions on how the GDC and dental technology could better collaborate in the future.
Following the presentation, we conducted an intensive, hands-on tour of the lab. I made it clear that Byrnes represents one of the more advanced labs, with many others in the industry being smaller and less digitally equipped. We demonstrated both analogue and digital workflows, showcasing the breadth of what dental labs can achieve.
Tom interacted openly and candidly with our team, who did not shy away from asking tough questions about the challenges they face, from the complexities of overseas registration to the outdated nature of much of the education available to new technicians.
Honest dialogue
We highlighted the benefits of modern workflows and how labs can significantly improve chair time efficiency, enhance patient satisfaction and offer innovative solutions to the broader challenges facing dentistry. Tom continued to show a desire to deepen his understanding of dental technology, asking insightful questions throughout the tour, which covered all aspects of our operation.
After a thorough tour, we paused for a brief lunch, during which Tom expressed a keen interest in learning more about the personal challenges we had faced with the GDC. He asked me directly, if I were in his position, what I would prioritise for change.
In the afternoon, we held a Q&A session involving several members of my team, representatives from the Dental Laboratories Association (DLA), and questions sourced from various social media channels. Tom addressed as many queries as possible and committed to following up on those he couldn’t answer immediately. For someone so new to the role, Tom’s approach to engagement and openness to feedback left a strong impression on all of us.
He took extensive notes and emphasised his commitment to maintaining an honest and transparent dialogue.
Forward-thinking leadership
As we wrapped up the day, Tom took time to summarise his key takeaways, ensuring he had grasped all the concerns and suggestions raised by our team. I was incredibly impressed with his approach; he was personable, genuinely interested and attentive to the voices of those on the front lines of dental technology.
In summary, our collective agreement was that the GDC needs greater transparency and a clearer understanding of the vital role dental technicians play within the industry. Tom’s visit demonstrated his forward-thinking leadership and his commitment to a more engaged and collaborative future for the GDC.
It was clear that he recognises the challenges ahead but is ready to tackle them with a hands-on approach that values real-world insights.
I am optimistic about the direction Tom will take the GDC, and I am grateful to him for dedicating his time to truly understand dental technology. This visit was an invaluable step toward strengthening the relationship between the GDC and dental technicians, and I look forward to seeing the positive changes that will follow.
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