Founder – W M R Littlejohn
William R Littlejohn founded the laboratory in 1945 after serving his apprenticeship with his ambitions to be his own boss interrupted by the war. The NHS was the main provider of dentistry with dentures and a few orthodontics the only restorations that were made at that time. Alex B Littlejohn joined the business as a 16 year old and took over the small company turning it into international trading business over the next 35 years. William retired from the business in 1969.
Managing Director – Alexander Barr Littlejohn
Alex joined the dental laboratory when he was 16 however had spent many summer school holidays before this. Having considered a career in maxillofacial, he saw better opportunities in being his own boss. When he joined the laboratory, the business comprised of William Littlejohn, one technician and another apprentice. He expanded the business gradually until his father retired in 1969. Sheena, Alex’s Wife, was also involved in the business, responsible for running the wages department. The lab joined the D.L.A. where he served on the council for 20 years and was Vice Chairman, Chairman and Past Chairman for a period of six years.
Alex was the founding member of the TEREC group that in 1984 brought together 10 like-minded UK dental labs to allow new techniques to be brought from across America and Europe to launch in the UK, most notably Porcelain Veneers. He later helped to found TEREC North America, which is renowned as one of the most prestigious groups in dentistry today. Alex sat as chairman of TEREC UK for 20 years.
A fully qualified post graduate lecturer, Alex now lectures, mentors and develops training programs for dentists and technicians all over Europe and is a key influence in the current TEREC groups and the new DTS training facilities. He is also a prolific writer for many dental publications.
Technical Director – Sandy Littlejohn
Sandy went through a similar introduction to dentistry as his father, Alex, joining the business after leaving school at 16. Qualifying as a City and Guilds dental technician he has over 25 years of experience in the dental fields of all aspects from Prosthetics to crown and bridge specialising in complex implantology. Sandy travelled extensively throughout his career widening his knowledge in cultural differences of dentistry in dentistry. This was crucial in expansion of DTS into multiple country markets. In 1990 he spent 6 months at the largest dental laboratory in Canada allowing him to investigate the aspects of a growing high production lab. In 1998 he then spent two years working for a small-specialised laboratory in Antigua, which was run by a renowned German master technician. On returning to the UK helped as a demonstrator for Ivoclar Vivadent, launching many of there new techniques of the time.
Sandy has attended hundreds of postgraduate courses in all aspects of dentistry giving him a fully rounded experience rarely matched in the UK. He now oversees all production of cases within DTS along with quality controlling all implant cases. He is an advisor to Nobel Biocare, 3i, Metalor / Cendres & Metaux and Degudent for their specialist implant and attachments.
Technical Director – Laurie Littlejohn
Laurie also joined DTS after leaving school. Qualifying as a City and Guilds dental technician he has over 22 years of experience in the dental fields in all aspects from Prosthetic s to crown and bridge however he specialising in advanced cosmetic and all ceramic crown and bridge. Laurie helped to progress and develop the adhesive dentistry department, which is today our All Ceramic department, creating many award wining cases over the years. He like, Sandy, spend extensive time in overseas laboratories most notably at an 1000 employee lab in Arkansas, North America, where he spent six months learning product flow and mass production techniques for cosmetic outcomes.
Laurie opened and now manages the DTS digital laboratory business that was the first fully automated dental laboratory in Europe. Along with providing DTS with Zirconia framework and digitally created restorations, it also supplies many hundreds of other laboratories throughout Europe from 3 locations. He also holds a key position as digital dental advisor to Open Health Core 3D centres, a worldwide group of dental laboratories based in 12 countries. Laurie also holds key positions as advisor to 3M healthcare, Degudent and 3Shape for all digital aspects of dentistry.
Financial & Marketing Director – Graham Littlejohn
Graham graduated with honours in Medical microbiology before joining the laboratory in 1995. He worked closely with Glasgow Caledonian University for many years working on disinfection techniques to be used in the dental industry before becoming full time in the administration and marketing of DTS. Graham manages the administration and customer service departments of the DTS companies, which include DTS laboratories, DTS Training suites, DTS service, Core 3D centres and V-Dent specialist supplies. He also manages business development, finance and marketing.
Graham sits as the TEREC UK group marketing director and on the board of directors of the Open Health group. He travels extensively throughout the world as an advisor and on the development team for 3M healthcare, 3Shape, Dentsply and Algiz Media
Latest News
29 Oct
DTS stands out at BACD
The scanner was a great success at the BACD show, and even though it’s not available for another 6 months there’s already plenty of interest and you can see why. 3Shape’s Face Scanner allows you to evaluate, create and deliver your patients treatment faster and more accurately than ever before.
19 Oct
The Digital Age in Fast Forward
If you would like to visit the DTS digital laboratory and view the Lava Chairside Oral Scanner and see the full digital workflow in action get in touch!