From philosophy to philosophy...

 

I have spoken several times of the Art Oral philosophy of Klaus Müterthies.

A global concept that takes account of the dental technician's work in relation to the needs, moods and expectations of the patient. A great idea that once applied gives great satisfaction to the extent that it becomes a way of being and a way of life in the professional field.

Last Monday, I was lucky enough to meet another person who has made the history of dentistry and dental ceramics worldwide.

His name is Jürgen Braunwarth and he showed me another way of understanding work from the purely methodical and technical standpoint using frequently the word "philosophy".

Both Germans, both great ceramists with a background of hundreds of courses aimed at teaching best-quality aesthetics, but two completely different ways of conceiving work. Klaus is the genius. He is instinct driven by passionate relationships, never satisfied and always striving to improve.

Jurgen is in one word "method", which he rightly calls philosophy, and can be explained by the simple observation of the natural tooth and its scientific reproduction with an easy and repeatable process.

So what is the right philosophy and what are the considerations that I can take from this experience? Who is right with two such different ways of looking at and understanding work?

I have noticed that every ceramist has their own system which intersects with their everyday routine.

What do I mean by that?

- If you work with flair and with doctors who demand great aesthetics and they pay for it then you are fine.

- If you work with flair and work without a method of making quantity it will not work well.

- If you work methodically to make quantity (and quality today cannot however be low) and with doctors who demand great aesthetics then you are fine.

The reproducibility of a result is vital especially if you manage a complex activity. Mr Braunwarth has understood this perfectly and this is the reason why his lab in China works well, meeting the demands of a high profile market. I do not know if I paint the picture well but a small Chinese laboratory never has less than 100 employees with a frantic production; for it to work well and with quality it is mandatory to have a philosophy and a method that works.

I love to learn and see new perspectives and new worlds.

On Monday I had the vision of a working model that I did not think existed and that sees Chinese laboratories producing for local users at far higher prices than those that are applied in Europe. In contrast, Europeans tend to get the Chinese to produce at low prices.

There is something not quite right!!!

A little anecdote that I also told Mr Braunwarth.

For almost twenty years I have lived in the province of Venice and I have a few friends who are expert glassmakers. The Murano glass is in crisis due to the invasion of the Chinese market (for a change) and it is easy to find in St Mark's Square glasses at far lower prices than the originals, to the extent that several glass factories have started to rely primarily on the foreign market.

One day I asked one of my friends which are the foreign markets of reference and the answer left me speechless.

Yes really! The number one is China! Actually, he works ONLY for China and with very high prices.

The Chinese, those who can, and in a population of over a billion people there are many, do not want a second-rate product and require extreme quality.

And so I wonder: must we really chase a continuous downward trend that is slowly taking us back by thirty years?

Do Italian and European patients really want this?

Everyone may have their own considerations. (Please, have a young and open mind)

I wish to thank Fabiano Bolzani for his usual great willingness to accommodate us in his laboratory and for his recognised technical expertise that once again he has been willing to share, Fabio Angelini, sales manager Reox Art Oral, for his important translation service and Jürgen Braunwarth for having honoured us with his presence and his immense experience.

 

 

Until soon

Be young mind

 

Luca Pighin