One look at Gustavo Cordon’s life shows that he was destined for greatness in the world of dental prosthetics. He has made it clear that they are some of the best things for having a greater smile.
Raised in Guatemala, he was influenced by his father and uncle’s work in Dentec, a leading dental lab they had founded. He regularly watched dental technicians as they worked, fascinated by all the incredible things they could do. This early exposure inspired him, and in 2005, he joined the warehouse of Dentec with his family. His goal was to learn as much as possible to take on the family business later and help it thrive in ways it hadn’t yet seen. He wanted to help people learn how to have healthier teeth.
From there, Cordon realized his calling. He traveled to Mexico in 2007 to enter an intensive 18-month program studying dental prosthetics. Though the program was challenging, he had the skills and knowledge to succeed. He then began to master his craft, which eventually took him across the globe from Japan to Germany.
These journeys weren’t just for the sake of travel. To Cordon, he wanted to learn everything he could about innovation in dental prosthetics in each country he set foot in. Otherwise, how could he know what needed to be done in the world of dental technology? He wanted to find the top experts in each corner of the world and learn everything they had to offer him.
He spoke to global masters in his craft and brought back advanced techniques into his home country. Three of the most notable places he trained in were Japan, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. In these places, he underwent intensive training programs on concepts such as dental lab management and dental technology, making him his own leader in dentistry.
Emilia Gutierrez, a Master Dental Technician, greatly influenced Cordon on his professional journey. She taught him technical skills and emotional intelligence, necessary for effective team leadership.
She also taught him her work in digitalizing dental labs and helped him learn how to streamline processes in the lab. To Gutierrez, technical skills could only get you so far. Only by learning those interpersonal skills to help you build up your team and effectively reach customers could you find true success.
Since his early years of training, Cordon has truly emphasized his commitment to customer service. He believes his customers are the lifeblood of his business. While technical work is also essential, client support and satisfaction must be unparalleled to thrive in the industry truly.
Cordon saw many significant milestones in his career. Since 2006, he has been a Production Manager at Esthetic Dental Lab, a role in which he has led digital innovation and quality improvement. He also held tenure as a Consultant at Procada Lab and Senior Commercial Manager at IMFHOSALAB, which helped him show off his skills in operational efficiency.
Cordon’s top skills include crafting aesthetic dental prosthetics and veneers and working with advanced materials, such as lithium disilicate and zirconium. He also works regularly with laboratory equipment, helping to manage the lab and engaging with clients to succeed in sales.
In the future, Cordon wants to lead his family business to become the top dental laboratory in Guatemala. As a lifelong learner, Cordon plans to continue staying on top of new techniques and technologies in dentistry to keep the business ahead of the rest.
His personal philosophy emphasizes humility as well as personal growth. Something he learned from his father is that you must remain humble to be an effective leader. He hopes to not only lead in his field but also be a mentor and inspiration to his children and a new generation of dental technicians.
Many years of training and effort went into Cordon’s success. Without his dedication to his craft and his commitment to learning from the best across the world, he would not be the professional he is today. Both his technical skills and his personal skills are thanks to his work across the globe.
As Cordon continues to grow, he hopes to adapt to new challenges and continue to serve his customers well. He is an excellent example of someone with integrity in addition to innovation and will continue to inspire many.