Ann Schmitt, CDT

Ann Schmitt’s family history in the dental industry goes back four generations. She grew up playing with waxes and plasters as soon as she could reach the bench in her father’s dental laboratory, Schmitt Dental Lab in Saginaw, Mich.

Her great grandfather, Dr. George Schmitt, was the first dentist in Frankenmuth, Mich. Her grandfather, Reinhold, started the lab, which was continued by her father, Edward, and is now operated by her sister, Vicki Lewis, CDT.

“The dental lab was often the topic at family mealtimes, holidays and elsewhere,” Ann said. “It has always been my life for as long as I can remember.”

Wanting to expand her skills, Ann moved to Illinois to oversee the partial frame department at Ottawa Dental Laboratory. She took her current position as manager of technical services for CMP Industries-Nobilium/Ticonium in 2007. She takes her training and runs with it anywhere it’s needed.

“The last four years have been spent teaching technicians from all over the world from these experiences,” Ann said.

She teaches partial denture classes (flexible and cast partial frameworks) in Albany, as well as across the country and globe. She also lectures at large dental meetings, visits dental laboratories to evaluate processes, and participates in joint sales/training calls with the company’s technical reps.

“I learn something new from every lecture where I speak, class I teach, or lab that I visit,” Ann said. “I love to share my experiences with other labs and technicians to help make their tasks easier.”

Ann, a mother of two grown sons, says her father inspired her to succeed in the dental industry.