Fast Five: Skyler Shannon

Meet Skyler Shannon, a local Idahoan, born and raised in Coeur d'Alene. He owns AOC Dental Laboratory with locations in Coeur d'Alene and the Tri-Cities, Wash., and is developing his third lab, SkyCAD Digital Dentistry Simplified, which provides education and expertise in digital dentistry across the U.S. Skyler grew up in the dental lab under the guidance of his father, who started Artistic Oral Ceramics in 1976. Skyler has been in the dental field for more than 18 years.

Generation: I relate more with the Gen X people, but land on the cusp of millennial, which made me a little upset 'til I found the term Xennials. Now I feel like my own generation.

Career and community involvement: I love what I do; leading the advancements in digital dentistry is extremely rewarding. I am an expert in the digital dentistry workflow and strive to stay current on all the advancements in the medical dental field. I help support the Juvenile Justice Outreach program and several other programs aimed toward our youth of today. I enjoy helping kids get involved in healthy activities by sponsoring things like the CDA Sk8 Park. I am also involved in the Dental Lab Owners Business Association, and was nominated for president of the foundation for the 2017 calendar year.

Parental status: I am a proud father of three and have been happily married to the most beautiful woman on the earth for 13 years, my forever bride Hilary Shannon.

1. How did you get into the dental lab profession?

My father, Robert Shannon Jr., was the inspiration for my career. He sadly passed away on Sept. 11, 2017, with his legacy passing through everything we touch.

2. What's the hardest part of your job, and what is the most rewarding?

The hardest part of my job is meeting and exceeding the expectations of the doctor and patient. There's a lot of moving parts in this job and making sure they all run smoothly is my top priority. There's nothing more rewarding than receiving the information I need to deliver a consistent, predictable result to the doctor and patient. I truly love changing people’s lives one smile at a time.

3. Who are your role models?

My father and mother are a huge inspiration on who I am today. My mother and her business-savvy mind and my father for his artistic and networking abilities.

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I am a certified whitewater guide and love the rivers of the Northwest.

5. If you could visit any ancient ruin or World Heritage Site, where would you go and why?

Jerusalem. I would enjoy the birthplace of the world's most popular religions and seeing the culture that surrounds it.

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Devin Weeks can be reached by email: dweeks@cdapress.com

Follow her on Twitter: @DevinCDAPress