BEHIND THE SCENES
design and digital dentures, which will experience significant growth in the coming years with the right partner collaborations. “The technology is still at its beginning with CAD/CAM design for single crowns, but it is something I am looking forward to particularly for removable partial dentures because it is the least digitalised segment right now,” she added. Despite the challenges in the Thai market, Meekiatichaikun shared that Hexa Ceram has achieved a CAGR of 28% over the past three years, handling an average of 2,300 cases per day in 2023. The company is poised to capitalise on growth sectors such as dental tourism, cosmetic dentistry, and services for an ageing population — areas buoyed by government efforts to expand access to dental care. “The number of dentists in Thailand is growing by about 800 per year, and with a supply-demand gap in dental lab services, Hexa Ceram is well-positioned to expand. We will be opening another four new production branches in the next two years,” she said. Despite this gap in supply, Meekiatichaikun was confident that dentists still see the value of working with a large-scale dental lab over investments towards in-house production. “I do not see in-house production becoming so popular yet. During the Covid-19 pandemic when dentist tried to produce in-house, they understood that managing the cost of a lab is not easy. As digitalisation becomes more common, I think simpler products like retainers or singles crowns will be done in-house, but more complex cases need to be outsourced,” she said. Attuned to the needs and mindsets of dentists, Meekiatichaikun believes that Hexa Ceram will need to compete on price, quality and service as she seeks
Hexa Ceram signing an MoU to support and promote learning management to develop students’ skills and knowledge in dental technology with the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University
to deliver Hexa Ceram’s brand value, particularly towards a growing segment of young dentists. “Since the start, we have always positioned Hexa Ceram as a dental lab which could be trusted by dentists and partners for the best products and service. We like to be creative and come up with different ways to remain connected with the dentist, through hands-on seminars, booth displays, and dinners events which have been well- received,” she said. As Hexa Ceram approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025, Meekiatichaikun reflected on the company’s journey with pride. “Every time our technicians see their work in a patient’s mouth, it brings joy to them. This connection between patients, dentists, and technicians is the heart of our mission, especially in a field where skilled technicians are in short supply,” she said. With the strong competitive advantage of Thailand, coupled with the culture of continuously exploring ways to
support the evolving needs of dentists, Hexa Ceram remains committed to delivering great quality and service far into the future, particularly as a new generation enters the field. She concluded: “From the beginning, Hexa Ceram has been a trusted partner for dentists, known for our creativity, commitment to
execellence, and attention to the quality of our dental products. As we celebrate nearly three decades of success, we remain dedicated to fostering rich communication between all parties involved — patients, dentists, and technicians and all the stakeholders.” DA
Monikaproy Meekiatichaikun, CFO of Hexa Ceram
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