Meet Sarah Williamson | Owner/Dental Ceramist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Williamson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before starting my business, I had worked for 18 years investing all of my efforts and time into learning my craft and contributing growth into other people’s businesses. I was treating these businesses as my own, without reaping the long term benefits of ownership. It was time to put the same amount of effort into something I can grow and call my own.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

When I tell people I’m a dental technician, they first think I’m a hygienist or assistant. When I explain to them that I make teeth, specializing in ceramics, they are usually fascinated. Most have never heard of this profession. Being a dental technician is very creative and artistic. I create anywhere from a single tooth to a full smile makeover, making each tooth unique to that patient. This is tedious, hard work, but also very rewarding seeing a smiling patient at the end of treatment.

The majority of my career was spent in the dental office making teeth for only 1-3 doctors in that office. (Most labs are independent and doctors from multiple offices send work). I was able to meet patients on a daily basis and see my finished work in their mouth. I feel blessed to have worked in that atmosphere, learning from my mistakes and always striving to be better. My dedication to mastering this craft and chasing perfection is what motivated me to open my own dental lab. There are a lot of production style labs, with mediocre quality and aesthetics. I want to offer more. Patients deserve it.

I opened Meraki Dental Studio in October of 2021. Meraki is a Greek word. It means to do something with soul, creativity or love; to put something of yourself into your work. I truly believe that I do this with each case. It made sense for me to name my lab Meraki Dental Studio.

I started the lab in my basement doing a few cases here and there until I quit my full time lab job in March of 2022. I worked many hours from April through August , building clientele, learning design software and producing work. The hard work paid off and I moved into a beautiful lab space at the end of August, located in Lafayette. I’m really proud of the space I’ve created and I’m excited to share it with other talented technicians.

I thought I would miss working in the dental office, not being able to see patients on a daily basis, but local dentists send patients to my lab for shade appointments. This allows me to still interact with patients. I get to discuss their expectations, take photos and notes. For me, this forms an emotional connection with the patient and they trust me to make their teeth. I always give 100% to each case. Nothing is more rewarding than when a dentist or patient texts or emails, thanking you for a great job. This keeps me motivated.

I take multiple continuing education courses each year, learning new materials and techniques. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach other technicians my techniques as well. It’s fun sharing knowledge! As I grow my lab, I know I will have to train technicians. This is an apprentice style career. You don’t learn this skill from a weekend course. If you stay committed to learning and mastering the craft, you will find a lot of success in this career. The challenge will be finding artists that are willing to put in the work and accept critique..

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living north of Denver, I would take my friend out to dinner in Old Town Lafayette. Either Community or Teo Cali. The next day we would head up to Estes Park and drive up Trail Ridge Road to see the views. We would have to stop for a cherry pie and treats at Colorado Pie Company in Lyons. If it’s summertime, I would hit Louisville’s farmers market and get coffee at Moxie. Throughout the week we would also get coffee at Otis and Brew in Lafayette. Hit local breweries including Odd 13 and Four Noses. A hike at Crater Lake via Moffet Pass outside of Nederland would be on the agenda. Then hit Boulder on the way back and get food and beer at The Post or Bohemian Biergarten and shop Pearl Street. If we headed to Denver for a day, we would start with brunch at The Bindery or Happy Camper and go shopping on W 32nd Ave in West Highlands.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to Ladies of the Mill (LOTM). This group consists of women in the dental laboratory industry supporting each other in this unique career. Whether you are an owner, manager or dedicated technician, we all encourage each other to succeed. Not only do we share our accomplishments, we also share the struggles and challenges we each face and how we’ve overcome them. This group really inspired me to take the risk and start my own dental laboratory.

Website: www.merakidentalstudiolab.com

Instagram: Meraki_dental_studio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Meraki-Dental-Studio-101474299254056/