Italy's dental technician association ANTLO has published an interview in Dental Tribune outlining its position on proposed legislation that would formally recognise dental technicians as a regulated healthcare profession. The interview, featuring ANTLO President Michele Di Maio and former President Mauro Marin, brings the technician perspective directly to a dentist-facing audience.

The proposed amendment to Italian healthcare legislation would add dental technicians to the list of recognised healthcare professions. ANTLO's case rests partly on the European Medical Devices Regulation, under which dental technicians bear responsibility for designing and manufacturing custom-made medical devices, with direct consequences for patient safety and traceability. The Italian Council of State has already confirmed that the roles of dentists and dental technicians are legally distinct and non-overlapping.

Recognition, if passed, would be accompanied by a shift to university-level education, bringing dental technology in line with other regulated health professions in Italy. ANTLO argues this would strengthen professional standards and reduce the risk of unregulated practice. The proposal is not intended to change the division of clinical responsibilities: dentists retain diagnosis and treatment planning, while technicians remain focused on prosthetic design and manufacture. The Italian debate is being followed across Europe, where approaches to dental technician regulation vary considerably between member states.