We’re excited to share that two of our talented dental laboratory technicians at GoDigital Dental Laboratory are finalists in the Private Dentistry Awards 2025 in the Technician Team Member category. This honour recognises their skill, creativity, and dedication to producing high-quality dental restorations and dental appliances.
Their achievement shows their commitment to professional development and expertise in dental laboratory technology. It also reflects GoDigital Dental Laboratory’s ongoing focus on precision, aesthetics, and using the latest digital dental technology to create crowns, bridges, and dental implants for individual patients.
Jenna Ellis
As a certified dental technician, Jenna heads up our ceramic team.
Jenna’s experience
Jenna is an experienced and talented ceramist with more than ten years in the dental industry. She trained as a dental technician at People’s College in Nottingham and completed her apprenticeship training at a multi-award-winning dental laboratory, where she built strong skills in accuracy and craftsmanship.
With a passion for both art and technology, Jenna produces beautiful, high-quality ceramic work for dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Her dedication to precision and her eye for detail ensure every restoration meets the highest standards of quality and aesthetics.
She’s also one of our most versatile technicians, combining her ceramic artistry with digital design through CAD (computer-aided design) technology. This blend of creativity and innovation allows Jenna to craft natural, lifelike smiles that perfectly balance form and function.
Outside of the dental lab
Alongside her work in dental technology, she is also a board member of the British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD). In this role, she helps support and promote growth, excellence, and innovation within the private dental sector.
Nicole Straw
Our second finalist from the lab, Nicole is our CAD/CAM team leader.
Nicole’s experience
Nicole began her dental technology career in 2010 after qualifying from People’s College in Nottingham. Starting as a CAD technician, she quickly developed a strong interest in digital dentistry and has since gained wide experience across all areas of the dental laboratory.
Her focus is on advanced CAD/CAM systems, where she works on complex digital cases including implants, full-arch restorations, and digital smile design, following training with Christian Coachmen’s DSD program.
At GoDigital Dental, Nicole is recognised as a key expert in the CAD/CAM department. She combines her technical skill with creative artistry, connecting digital design and ceramic craftsmanship to produce precise, natural-looking restorations that meet the highest standards of quality.
Nicole began her journey with an apprenticeship at an award-winning Nottingham laboratory and has been closely involved in the growth of digital dental technology ever since. She now helps lead the continued development of GoDigital Dental’s CAD/CAM operations and works as a verified trainer in several major dental software systems, supporting both clients and colleagues.
Outside of the dental lab
When she’s not in the lab, Nicole loves getting creative and spending quality time with her daughter, often making and crafting things together. She’s also a big fan of VW campervans and enjoys exploring the outdoors whenever she can. At home, Nicole enjoys relaxing in her garden, where she takes pride in growing her own vegetables.
The role of dental technicians in a dental laboratory
Creating custom restorations
Dental lab technicians create crowns, bridges, dental implants, and dental appliances for individual patients. Using dental laboratory technology and specialised equipment, they ensure restorations fit comfortably and look like natural teeth. Certified dental technicians and trainee dental technicians work closely with dentists and the wider healthcare team to deliver high-quality dental devices.
Dental technicians work in commercial dental laboratories or their own laboratory, using CAD/CAM technology to fine-tune crowns, bridges, and implants. Continuous professional development, apprenticeships, and foundation degree courses help dental technicians expand their skills and knowledge in the profession.
Precision and attention to detail
Dental technicians work carefully to ensure every dental restoration meets professional standards. They use specialised equipment and materials knowledge to produce crowns, bridges, mouth guards, dentures, and orthodontic appliances that fit precisely. Protective clothing and quality control measures maintain safety and hygiene.
Trainee dental technicians and certified dental technicians refine their skills through training, degree courses, and end-point assessment. Every dental device is designed to restore oral health, protect teeth, and improve the patient’s appearance while meeting the dentist’s specifications.
Working with digital technology
Digital dental technology has transformed dental laboratory work. Dental technicians use CAD/CAM systems to design and manufacture crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontic appliances efficiently. Clinical dental technicians and dental technologists combine traditional skills with digital workflows to create precise dental restorations.
Trainee dental technicians learn CAD/CAM, 3D scanning, and digital smile design during apprenticeships, foundation degree courses, or university programs. Digital tools allow technicians to fine-tune dental devices, improve accuracy, and communicate effectively with dentists and dental teams for individual patients.
Collaboration with dentists
Dental technicians work directly with dentists, Bupa Dental Care teams, and the wider healthcare team to create customised dental restorations. Communication ensures crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontic appliances meet patients’ needs. Dental technicians use dental laboratory technology and specialist equipment to achieve high-quality results.
Trainee dental technicians and certified dental technicians develop the ability to collaborate effectively during apprenticeships, foundation degrees, or degree courses. Their work helps restore function and enhance the patient’s appearance, supporting both oral health and overall satisfaction.
Materials and techniques
Dental technicians use a variety of materials, including ceramics, metals, and polymers, to create the restorations their lab offers, whether that’s crowns, bridges, dentures, partial dentures, or other dental appliances. Specialist equipment and dental laboratory technology help technicians produce restorations that replicate natural teeth.
Trainee dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, and certified dental technicians learn these techniques through apprenticeships, foundation degrees, or university courses. CAD/CAM technology allows dental technicians to fine-tune crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances efficiently while maintaining quality control and professional standards.
Quality control and final checks
Dental laboratory technicians inspect every dental appliance before delivery. Crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontic appliances undergo quality control to ensure they fit correctly, function well, and look natural.
Dental technicians work with dentists, clinical dental technicians, and dental teams to meet professional standards. Trainee and certified dental technicians maintain protective clothing, specialist equipment, and attention to detail to ensure every dental restoration restores oral health and improves the patient’s appearance.
Professional development and training
Becoming a dental technician requires training, education, and hands-on experience. Trainee dental technicians complete apprenticeships, foundation degrees, or university courses to develop skills in CAD/CAM, ceramics, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, and dental restorations.
Certified dental technicians continue professional development to stay up to date with dental laboratory technology, materials, and specialist areas. Ongoing training ensures dental technicians can communicate effectively with dental teams, create precise dental devices, and support oral health while enhancing patients’ appearance.
Come to GoDigital Dental and see just how good our team is!
At GoDigital Dental, we take pride in the skill, dedication, and creativity of our dental technicians. From advanced CAD/CAM restorations to handcrafted crowns and bridges, our team combines technical expertise with artistry to deliver the best results for every patient.
Whether it’s precision, innovation, or attention to detail, our technicians are committed to quality, ensuring every dental restoration supports oral health and enhances your patient’s appearance.
Plus, if two of our technicians have made it to the finals of a prestigious dental awards ceremony, we’re clearly doing our jobs very, very well.
