Dental Technician

Dental Technician

Duties and responsibilities:

Dental Laboratory Technology is both a science and an art. Since each dental patient's needs are different, the duties of a dental laboratory technician are comprehensive and varied. Although dental technicians seldom work directly with patients, except under the direction of a licensed dentist, they are valuable members of the dental care team. They work directly with dentists by following detailed written instructions and using impressions (molds) of the patient's teeth or oral soft tissues to create:

Education: Dental laboratory technicians may receive their education and training through a two-year program at a community college, vocational school, technical college, university or dental school. Graduates of these programs receive either an associate degree or a certificate. There also are a few programs that offer a four-year baccalaureate program in dental technology.

In most cases, an interested individual needs a high school diploma or its equivalent to apply to an accredited dental laboratory technology program. Contact the dental technology program of interest to you for specific requirements and must be accredited by the board.

Salary: The salary of a dental laboratory technician depends primarily upon the skills demonstrated and responsibilities associated with the specific position and the geographic location of employment. Dental technicians can earn salaries equal to personnel in other health care occupations with similar training and experience. Experienced technicians can realize significant satisfaction and rewards in commercial laboratories or may choose to be self-employed, opening their own dental laboratories for greater independence.