Heather Shie
Dental Laboratory Professional and Manager
About
Detail-oriented Dental Laboratory Professional and Manager with over 25 years of experience specializing in orthodontic appliances and removable appliances. Expert in custom acrylic design, digital scanning, and team leadership. Proven track record of maintaining 100% client retention and achieving a 0% return rate through meticulous quality control and technical expertise.
Experience
Dental Laboratory Technician - C & C Dental Lab - Oldsmar, FL
(2023-06 - 2026-01)
- Restored patient function and aesthetics through expert denture repairs, relines, and finishing techniques.
- Fabricated precision-fit flippers and night guards tailored for maximum patient comfort.
- Executed intricate wire bending for acrylic partials and designed Essix retainers with integrated teeth.
Removable Technician - Team Solutions Dental LLC - Clearwater, FL
(2022-06 - 2023-01)
- Streamlined workflow for same-day repairs and relines to meet urgent patient needs.
- Produced high-quality flippers and diverse orthodontic appliances under tight deadlines.
Technical Consultant - DDS Lab Inc. - Tampa, FL
Provided expert-level consultation to dental offices, resolving complex technical inquiries regarding orthodontic appliance design and fit.
Digital Scanner - Knight Dental - Oldsmar, Florida
Managed digital scanning for crown and bridge cases utilizing 3-Shape software, ensuring digital precision for subsequent fabrication.
Dental Laboratory Manager - Afdent - Fort Wayne, IN
(1999-06 - 2021-12)
- Oversaw the production of all orthodontic appliances, flippers, and denture repairs.
- Utilized advanced acrylic design techniques to drive high levels of customer satisfaction and appliance durability.
Dental Laboratory Manager - Stoller Dental Lab, Inc. - Fort Wayne, IN
- Directed a team of technicians, managing a high-volume production schedule of 170+ appliances per week.
- Achieved 100% lab retention (70+ offices) and maintained a 0% return rate for five consecutive years.
- Spearheaded quality assurance protocols and trained new hires on lab standards and efficiency.
Dental Laboratory Technician - Dentech / Lumident - Fort Wayne, IN
- Founded the orthodontic department, scaling volume to support two full-time technicians within the first 18 months.
- Managed the end-to-end fabrication process from mold to completion with a 1–2-day turnaround.
Dental Laboratory Technician - Bussick Orthodontics - Fort Wayne, IN
- Managed all lab operations, including material procurement, budgeting, and scheduling.
- Consistently delivered orders on time while honing specialized appliance-making techniques.
Education
Associate - Health Sciences, Dental Laboratory Technology Program - Indiana University-Purdue University
