The Power of Community
Brett Hovis
In July, I had the opportunity to visit Image Dental Arts in Asheville, North Carolina. For those who may not know, their laboratory is located right along the Swannanoa River—and on September 27th, 2024, Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods to the region. Their lab took on more than 10 feet of water, resulting in a total loss of the main floor and much of their equipment and infrastructure.
Despite the damage, owner Mark Anderson and his team immediately rolled up their sleeves and began the rebuilding process. In just seven months, they were back in their facility and shipping cases as if nothing had ever happened, but the scars are still there. That kind of resilience is impressive on its own—but the story doesn’t stop there.
Just days after the storm, Mark received a call from Bob Savage, owner of Drake Dental Laboratory in Charlotte. Bob offered the team at Image a temporary home welcoming them into his lab so they could continue their work while rebuilding. Others in the dental lab community also stepped up in meaningful ways, offering financial support, equipment, and encouragement. It was a powerful reminder of what makes our industry so special.
Our industry is made up of skilled artisans and engineers who bring dental restorations to life. You all work with precision, technology, and passion. But one of the most valuable tools in our industry isn’t made of zirconia or porcelain it’s community. Many labs across the country are small to midsize, often family-owned, and deeply rooted in tradition. That entrepreneurial spirit is a strength, but it can also lead to isolation. When labs are working independently, it’s easy to forget that others are facing similar challenges and that collaboration is often the best way forward.
The industry is evolving rapidly through digital transformation, DSO growth, global competition, and lab consolidation. Customer expectations are shifting, and it’s not always easy to keep up. But when labs stay connected, the benefits are significant: knowledge sharing, peer support, collaboration opportunities, and a stronger collective voice to advocate for the future of the profession. Now, more than ever, community matters!
During a leadership meeting last November, our president, Shawn Nowak, shared an idea: What if we created an event just for dental labs? A space for education, networking, and celebration. It was an ambitious concept, but with the support of our vendor partners and team, we made it a reality. That’s how LabFest was born a two-day event in New Orleans designed to bring the lab community together in a whole new way.
If you haven’t already heard about LabFest, we encourage you to learn more and register. It takes place November 7–8, and we’re building something truly special that we hope will become a cornerstone of our industry’s sense of community.
We believe our role goes beyond being a supplier. We’re committed to building relationships, not just transactions. We focus solely on the needs of dental laboratories, and we’re proud to help connect and support the labs that make up this amazing industry. You can register at www.nolalabfest.com
In the end, dentistry is about people. And when labs operate not just as competitors, but as colleagues, the entire industry becomes stronger, more resilient, and more innovative. In a world moving quickly toward automation and digital everything, human connection remains one of our most powerful assets. We hope to see you in New Orleans this fall because we are always stronger together.
—Brett