I have witnessed several average techs with potential just blossom over a couple of years and now in demand from several companies and picking up new Drs from all over.
So piss and moan all you want and stay obscure in your corner only person hurt is yourself.
Last month 2 major companies contacted us wanting to know if anybody wanted to work with them on some products.
Several put their names in the hat.
Wow!!!
I backed up and read this whole thread, and honestly, I give props to all of you for standing in your truth. Being authentic to yourself is extremely difficult at times. Just know that your truth is just that.... your's. No matter how thick the pancake is, it has two sides.
I've been a tech for 43 years, and not to puff my chest out here, I think I've seen quite a bit in all these years. One thing for sure, we are a proud bunch for the job we do. We all are doing what we can with what we know, and when you know better, you do better.
Al, I'm with you, and you know you inspire me. We've talked about that. I'm with you on several items, but I'll list just a few:
Dentistry is such a small part of my life with regard to who I am as a person. I've always looked at this profession as a means to pay my bills, provide for my family, and allow me the finances to do the things that provide the "juice" in life. By that I mean its a means to an end. It does not define me at all! It is just a small portion of who I am, and I believe strongly that we need to keep everything in balance for our overall well-being.
I worked at a lab, which will remain anonymous, and it was nothing more to me than a glorified sweatshop. I learned a lot while there, and got fired because a tech , who is dead now, stuck his nose in my business and I confronted him about it. His name wasn't on my check, for I was a piece mill worker, and the owner chose the "old guard" over the truth, and I was outta there. That same tech sued them later for overtime not being paid.
This lab, in my opinion, is like some other labs. It used politics, and hung on some Dentist's coattails, and gained it's notoriety by hosting events that this dentist promotes. But what is notoriety? I've asked countless doctors if they had ever heard of that lab, and they said no. So, if we examine our "circle of influence", that lab isn't as big as their "head" thinks it is.
I was actually told by one of the owners that if he knew I wasn't a CDT, he wouldn't have hired me. They acted like it was a privilege to work there. Daddy started the lab, kids followed suit, but don't look down your darn nose on me, or in my case, look up....(I'm 6'5") because I'm not a CDT! Really? The rudeness of such a pompass ass!.
I took that with a grain of salt, for when I asked if I could put up some of my "I love me" things on the wall, and I did, they all laughed, but I didn't see anyone else with 3 college degrees, one of which was an AAS in dental technology. Now with 3 more college degrees, including my PhD, and working on my second PhD, am I still "defined" as a dental technician? I've been a CDT, twice, and not once have I ever had a Dentist call me an ask me if I was a CDT, and go "oh boy, let me send you all of my work!"
Does the President of the NADL preside for the benefit of the little labs? Does Obama protect you or big business? Has the NADL hurt or hindered your career? Ask yourself these questions.
Being a CDT,DTG, MDT,............ all great things..... but your'e all more than that. Al wants to take his scooter across country, I want another airplane to fly to wherever, and we can't do those things if we "major in the minors." Somebody else wants something else. I have witnessed this in my tenure as a tech, and it's something I don't see in many other occupations. Why are we so caught up in being a dental tech? Your'e also, some of you, mothers, dads, brothers, sons, and so much more. It's OK to disagree too.
Would I like to be a DTG? Sure..... what's involved? Would I like to be CDT? Not at what I see as weighing the cost vs. the reward. As I said, been there, done that. But if you want to get upset about all the letters you can put behind your name, I can tell you whether one group accepts it, and another doesn't, in the final analysis of life, do what feeds your soul. Do what gives you the juice! We've recently lost a leader in our industry, Mark Jackson. Do you think for a minute his family cares if he was a CDT? HE DID! He will be missed. He is missed already by his family.
Pick and choose ladies and gentlemen, and see what little things you are allowing to get your panties in a wad. 43 years, and I can tell you this...... you are only as good as that last case that went out the door. CDT, DTG, Doris Day, or BB King..... that last case that went our the door...... Are you going to let that define who your are?
Peace,
Randy Hill, PhD