AvaDent Sets the Stage for Growth with Arizona MEP
AvaDent is a Scottsdale-based manufacturer and industry leader in digitally designed and manufactured dental prosthetics, including monolithic digital dentures, overdentures, and hybrid dentures. Founded by Tim and Barbara Thompson, AvaDent was built on a vision to automate denture design and manufacturing to deliver better-fitting dentures in less time.
More than a decade after its founding, AvaDent holds over 80 patents and continues to scale manufacturing operations while expanding management of its proprietary software platform.
Devon Howe, AvaDent’s General Manager, previously worked with a Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) in New York and was familiar with the organization’s mission. He contacted Arizona MEP to support key initiatives including manufacturing scale-up, workplace safety, IT and cybersecurity improvements, and leadership development.
Reaching New Levels of Safety
AvaDent prioritized safety compliance by engaging Arizona MEP’s safety expert to conduct a comprehensive safety audit and address critical gaps. Together, the teams developed and implemented a structured safety program, safety manual, and recurring safety meetings.
Arizona MEP continues to conduct random OSHA mock inspections, reinforcing compliance and strengthening AvaDent’s safety culture. As a result, AvaDent has avoided fines and accidents while significantly improving workplace safety standards.
Lean Training and Optimization Drive Cost Savings
As an innovative startup, AvaDent initially operated with a strong research and development mindset that supported innovation but not production efficiency. Arizona MEP helped shift this mindset through Lean training and a redesigned manufacturing floor layout.
Lean training introduced foundational manufacturing concepts and enabled floor supervisors to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements. Arizona MEP then evaluated the facility layout and proposed alternatives to optimize workflow.
As a result of adopting Lean principles and a new manufacturing configuration, AvaDent increased gross margins from 40 percent to 50 percent.
Promoting Leadership Development
To support long-term growth, AvaDent enrolled mid-level employees in a six-month leadership development program facilitated by Arizona MEP. The program focused on skills required for new supervisors and team leads, including communication, time management, conflict resolution, change management, and coaching.
Following positive results from the first cohort, AvaDent expanded the program to include additional emerging leaders, building a sustainable pipeline of internal leadership talent.
Enhancing IT and Digital Infrastructure
AvaDent continuously seeks to strengthen its IT and security infrastructure. “We’re basically a software company that happens to make dentures,” said Howe. “We have a lot of smart people who’ve built incredible software.”
While strong in software development, AvaDent identified opportunities to improve version control, data access, and network security. Arizona MEP connected the company with trusted industry experts to support improvements in computer-aided design workflows and cybersecurity protocols.
With Arizona MEP’s guidance and industry connections, AvaDent remains confident in selecting the right partners to support its growing digital infrastructure.
AvaDent Looks Toward the Future
Since partnering with Arizona MEP, AvaDent has made measurable progress toward its business goals, including establishing a safety program, improving manufacturing efficiency through Lean, redesigning its facility layout, and developing internal leaders.
AvaDent continues to refine its manufacturing processes and relies on Arizona MEP for ongoing evaluation and strategic guidance. “Arizona MEP has provided the expertise and support we need to scale our operations,” said Howe. “I know I can turn to them for advice that puts AvaDent’s interests first.”