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Jeroen Klijnsma founded the dental lab and training centre, Dentiq, with three pillars to the business—innovation, education and precision. By Frank Leggett
When Jeroen Klijnsma founded Dentiq Dental Services, a full-service dental laboratory and training centre, in 2021, it was an opportunity to turn his clear vision for the business into a reality.
“We create high-quality products while supporting our clients,” he says. “We are more than happy to discuss all aspects of a job, particularly when dealing with difficult cases. I also firmly believe that education is essential, not only for our team but for every dental professional who needs guidance in their dental journey.”
Dentiq is a fully digital operation utilising scanners and 3D printers that range from basic units to a fully automated AI system that can print 24 hours a day. Their digital scanners and design programs work in harmony with onsite 3D manufacturing, printing and milling units.
“We are committed to keeping up with the latest technological advances,” Klijnsma says. “We have also built redundancy into all our workflows. If you rely on a single piece of equipment and something goes wrong, then you’re standing idle. Nearly all our equipment has a back-up unit in case of stoppages.”
Technology and environment
With more than 20 years of experience in the dental laboratory industry, Klijnsma and his team use advanced digital technology to deliver aesthetic and functional restorations. Their crown and bridge work range from single units to full arches, created with zirconium oxides or lithium disilicates. Implant-based restorations are precise to the micron level while splints are tailored to the exact needs of each patient. Their mouthguards offer a high degree of protection, no matter what sport the patient is playing.
Dentiq’s work ethos is centred around innovation, independence and collaboration. State-of-the-art digital equipment is utilised by team members empowered to work in an atmosphere of trust and autonomy. Ceramicists, CAD specialists and clinicians come together to produce the highest quality restorations.
“Running a successful dental lab is a mix of science and art,” Klijnsma says. “You need to be creative with a solid understanding of all processes. One area that’s far more important than people realise is material science. It’s at the heart of everything we do. My team has a broad understanding of the materials, the equipment and controlling the workflows. It’s fulfilling work to produce accurate, high-quality products.”
These days, most people want and demand immediate results. For many dental labs, this means that turnaround times are a critical aspect of their business. Dentiq is a little different—it will not sacrifice precision for speed.
Klijnsma treats every case as a reflection of his own standards. He will rework something that most would pass, because good enough simply does not sit well with him.
“We believe every case, no matter how large or small, deserves the same fine attention to detail,” he says. “In a world that prizes speed, Dentiq’s position is deliberate: precision is not something to be rushed.”
Starting out
Originally from the Netherlands, Klijnsma graduated as a dental technician from the Institute of Dental Technology in Utrecht in 2009. Soon after graduating, he spent 18 months running his own lab with another technician. He then moved to Germany to continue studying and to work for Pritidenta, a company that develops products for dental technicians and dentists. During his time there, Klijnsma helped develop a facial scanner and pre-manufactured dental crowns.
A business proposal saw Klijnsma and partners set up a branch laboratory in Vietnam. Klijnsma moved to Ho Chi Minh City to run the operation onsite.
“After two years, I was ready for a new challenge,” he says. “I met my partner and moved to Australia where I eventually started Dentiq in Melbourne.”
As the dental industry becomes increasingly digitised, there are three things that dental professionals must commit to—education, education and education.
Jeroen Klijnsma, founder, Dentiq
Dentiq was originally located in a heritage building in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. While it was an elegant space with high ceilings and chandeliers, it was less than perfect for compressors and manufacturing equipment.
The biggest issue was that there was no air conditioning. While it’s essential to have control over equipment and settings, it’s just as important to control the environment. Unregulated humidity and temperature can cause havoc with finely tuned machines.
In 2024, Dentiq moved to a new industrial building in the nearby suburb of Moorabbin. Klijnsma now had the space and a controlled environment to fully set up his business in the way he envisaged.
Training and lecturing
While Dentiq began life as a design service, it soon expanded to also become a dental laboratory. As Klijnsma has always been an advocate of further education, particularly in the field of digital dentistry, he soon added a training company to the business.
“You can have the most advanced equipment on the planet, but you must understand how to use it correctly in the most optimal way,” Klijnsma says. “As the dental industry becomes increasingly digitised, there are three things that dental professionals must commit to—education, education and education.”
Klijnsma runs training courses in digital and analogue techniques for dentists, technicians, nurses and prosthodontists. His courses cover everything from taking scans and designing to manufacturing using 3D printers and milling machines. His skill as a trainer sees him in demand nationally and internationally.
“Training and lecturing take up around 30 per cent of my time,” he says. “I’m a key opinion leader for a number of brands including Asiga, Aidite and NextDent. I work with Andarsyn and Henry Schein as a training education partner for their clients. I’m also involved with research development and testing new materials. Sitting on the advisory board of companies sees me give advice that can shape the future of Australian dentistry.”
New avenues
Jeroen Klijnsma’s clear ideas about what makes a good dental lab have seen the company’s reputation spread and the business continues to grow.
“The most important thing we do is follow protocols,” he says. “It’s essential to have control over your equipment, your calibration, your temperature and your materials. Trained staff that follow those protocols and ensure a smooth and effective workflow is just as important. If you keep mixing things up and changing things around, it’s impossible to achieve a reliable output.”
Recently, Klijnsma has returned to university, studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology to become a dental prosthetist. Once qualified, he will have an even deeper insight into all denture and prosthetic related cases.
“Dentiq is all about making a positive improvement to patients’ lives,” Klijnsma says. “Our job as dental technicians is to make the clinical teams look like heroes. If the clinician is struggling with inserting a crown or they have to make adjustments in the mouth, the patient can lose confidence. My goal is to ensure that everything we produce is perfect so patients walk away happy, telling friends and family about their experience. That’s how we help dental practices be successful with a roster of returning clients.”
Professional difference
Since its founding, the mission of Dentiq has been to bridge the gap between innovation and practical application in the dental industry. The aim is to provide high-quality restorations and education to improve patient outcomes and professional skills. This is why Dentiq is a successful and growing laboratory.
“We are committed to constant improvement,” Klijnsma says. “Our comprehensive training as dental technicians allows us to create aesthetic, comfortable, precise and natural-looking restorations. It’s work that makes us very proud.”
