Academia often faces challenges keeping pace with the cutting-edge skills demanded by real-world industries—even in the dental field. Not at the New York City College of Technology. At City Tech, dental laboratory technology students dive into the benefits of digital lab workflows using software like exocad’s DentalCAD. City Tech Professor and Master Dental Technologist Daniel Alter is a driving force behind this move to introduce more digital dental education in the classroom. Daniel explains how teaching students to harness the power of exocad software makes them more employable and increases the value they bring to any lab.
Q: How did you get your start in the dental field?
A: I initially planned to become a dentist and, on the advice of an orthodontist mentor, pursued an associate's degree in dental laboratory technology. I fell in love with the craft of creating dental solutions that positively impact people's lives.
Q: Can you describe the impact you've seen from your work in dental labs?
A: I've witnessed life-changing moments, like seeing people smile confidently for the first time or eating comfortably after years of struggle. I swear to you, when patients put the mirror in front of them and smile for the first time, their souls smile through it. Understanding that my work directly improves patients' lives is incredibly rewarding.
Q: How did your career progress after starting in a dental lab?
A: I began working in a dental lab before starting dental school and discovered my passion for hands-on work. I rose to a supervisory role, eventually starting my own lab, which grew to 20 employees and focused on cosmetic dentistry and implantology. I later transitioned into academia.
Q: What motivated you to move into teaching?
A: I wanted to share my knowledge and introduce digital workflows to students to better prepare them for the future of dentistry. There was no digital dental curriculum in the U.S., so I developed one at the City University of New York, which has now been adopted by other institutions. I set up the class because I was told that it can't be done. And when I'm told something can't be done, to me, it just means that they haven't figured out how to do it, and that’s where I come in.
Q: How has digital technology changed the dental lab industry?
A: Digital technology makes processes more consistent and scalable and allows for innovative solutions we couldn't have imagined before. It’s opened new possibilities for patient care and streamlined lab operations.
Q: Why did you choose exocad’s DentalCAD software for your curriculum?
A: exocad’s open software allows flexibility and creativity. It helps students learn to think outside the box and apply their skills across various lab environments, making them more employable.
Q: How have students responded to digital training?
A: Students today are tech-savvy and adapt quickly to digital tools. They find digital workflows engaging and intuitive, and using the software enhances their understanding of core dental lab skills by allowing them to visualize and manipulate designs more effectively. Prior to digital, the things we taught and worked on were very small—the size of a mouth. Now students can expand the molar in front of them as large as possible. It makes teaching morphology, anatomy and occlusion easier.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Be patient. Progress takes time, but as long as you keep moving forward and growing, good things will happen.
Q: What is your favorite tooth?
A: The mandibular molar for its intricate occlusal carving, and the single central incisor because it presents a challenging design.
Q: What do you do for fun on weekends?
A: I make spending time with my family a priority. No matter how much I travel for work, I always make sure to be home on Sundays to create lasting memories with them.
Q: What’s one of your favorite songs?
A: “Vienna” by Billy Joel—he’s a Long Island, NY, guy like me.
Q: One word for exocad?
A: Versatile.
Daniel Alter’s experience and repertoire is comprised of more than 25 years in the dental profession; with more than ten years of owning and operating a successful mid-sized dental laboratory, coupled with a Master’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership, and a respected stellar educating record as a Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the City University of New York. The NADL board recognized Daniel with the Educator of the Year Award in 2016. Daniel is a recognized published Author, Presenter and Consultant on various relevant subjects, and is continually active in learning and sharing his knowledge with like-minded professionals. Daniel continuously serves the profession as the Executive Editor of Inside Dental Technology (IDT).
Daniel holds the designation of a Master Dental Technologist (MDT), as well as a Certified Dental Technician (CDT) in two disciplines (CE & CB). His expertise involves Tooth Morphology and Gnathology, CAD/CAM, Implants, and Ceramics; while continued research is emphasized on CAD/CAM, Implantology and all its modalities, including innovative advancements for the Dental Laboratory Technology profession. Daniel provides comprehensive knowledge and expertise for any business and organization. He has been providing valuable consultation services for businesses large and small, ranging from start-ups to global multi-national enterprises. Follow Daniel’s work on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
by Caitlan Reeg
Writer at exocad
Caitlan Reeg spends her days telling the world about the innovations her colleagues create. She’s passionate about healthcare, technology, and the ways the two interact to improve our lives. A former journalist, Caitlan has worked on staff at Dow Jones Newswires in Frankfurt and at the national public radio program Marketplace in Los Angeles.
