Founder · Digitally Handcrafted Dental Lab
Founder · Digitally Handcrafted Academy
GC Key Opinion Leader
Lab Manager · Digitally Handcrafted
Instructor · UCL Eastman Dental Institute
DT João Paulo Martins Esturrado began his journey in dental technology at the age of 16, working during school holidays in a local dental laboratory. What started as a way to earn extra pocket money quickly developed into a lifelong passion, leading him to pursue a career in dental technology.

Growing up in a family of dentists, João initially worked alongside his parents in a small laboratory integrated within their dental practice. This early exposure provided him with a strong foundation in the relationship between clinical dentistry and laboratory craftsmanship.

In 2013, driven by a desire to further develop his skills and broaden his experience, João relocated to London, where he worked with some of the industry’s leading dental technicians. These years helped shape his philosophy of combining traditional craftsmanship with modern digital workflows.

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, João accepted an opportunity to establish and lead a new dental laboratory. The venture proved highly successful, allowing him to work closely with advanced materials, develop efficient digital workflows, and pursue his vision of delivering high-quality, aesthetic dental restorations.

Today, João is the founder of Digitally Handcrafted and serves as a Dental Technology Instructor at the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London (UCL). Alongside his laboratory work, he is actively involved in teaching and mentoring the next generation of dental technicians and dental professionals, with a particular focus on digital dentistry, communication between clinicians and technicians, and the integration of traditional principles into modern restorative workflows.