Methods. Demographic trend analysis supports a hypothesis that without immediate action by dentistry, substantial patient needs will not be met owing to inadequate levels of dental laboratory support for general dentists.

Results. The sophistication of laboratory-based rehabilitative and elective therapies demand closer cooperation between dentists and dental laboratory technologists.

Conclusions. Dentistry must not abdicate its responsibilities in dental technology as it pursues a path away from rehabilitation services toward a projected future of prevention services. With decreasing educational exposure and training in dental laboratory procedures, dentists will have difficulty participating with dental laboratory technologists to fabricate laboratory-based rehabilitative and elective therapies. Without significant guidance from dental professionals in establishing laboratory standards in both education and practice, proprietary interests and commercial biases may set the laboratory and clinical standards of the future.

Clinical Implications. Dentists will have limited experience or background to evaluate the dental laboratory technology offered in the marketplace and will be subject to the marketing of the industry. A shortage of educationally trained dental laboratory technologists will create a clinical and an economic burden on both dentists and patients.