Dental lab technicians work with dentist’s to make all sorts of appliances for patients’ teeth. The dentist will make a mold of the teeth. The dental lab technician then takes the original mold and makes a reverse mold from wax of the patient’s teeth. From this mold the dental lab technician can then make the needed appliance. They typically work alone, so it can be a lonely profession. However, it is also a rewarding profession. You may work for one dentist or several. If this sounds interesting, use this article to become familiar with the job requirements for dental lab technicians.
- Get to Know the Job Description. Your task is to follow a dentist’s specific order for making appliances for patients’ teeth. For instance: full or partial dentures, crowns, veneers, bridges, braces and splints. Though you will be working with your hands in crafting these, you will need to know about dental technology to complete these tasks. You will use dental apparatus and materials like wax, non-toxic plastic, metals and porcelain.
- Research Areas of Specialization. Just because you want to become a dental lab technician doesn’t mean you are cooped up all day without any variety. You actually have five areas to specialize in which include orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, denture work both partial and full, and finally, ceramic work. Dental laboratory technicians who work in these specialized areas need additional training and practice within the specific area of expertise.
- Complete the Education Requirements. There are two different paths into the dental lab profession. First is to be an apprentice to a dental lab technician. This takes two to three years to learn how to mold, shape, grind and manipulate the materials needed to make the appliances before you can work alone. This necessitates finding a lab that is willing to take on an apprentice. The second way to enter the profession is to graduate from a two year program that is accredited by the American Dental Association.
- Get up to Speed with Your Skill. You have the education, which means you also have the following skills to excel in your job. Remember no job is too small for you to stop excelling. Here’s what you need to succeed in the dental laboratory: precise movements of your hands, attention to detail, patience to make minor adjustments, and the ability to make the product aesthetically pleasing. In addition, you will need to be able to work with minimal supervision. You will also need to not take it personally when adjustments need to be made for a patient’s comfort or request. Even though this is a work of art, it must work for the patient.
- Pursue Certification. It is to your advantage to get certified by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Certified Dental Technician (CDT) is the certification granted and is obtained by passing three different exams. The great thing about this career is that you have four years to take the three tests. This will allow you to gain experience in the field as a dental lab technician and let you space out the exams.
- Check out the Expected Job Prospects and Salary. Job growth is expected to be around 6%. This is because better dental care in the last few decades means fewer appliances. However, the increase in the aging population means that the need for dental appliances will also increase. As more baby boomers age, the need for new dental appliances will increase. A career as a dental lab technician will get you anywhere from $22,000 to $59,000 annually depending on your experience and location.
- Look for a Job. There are a variety of work environments such as commercial laboratories, private dentist’s offices, hospitals, dental manufacturers, film and TV prosthetics, and of course, possibly your own private practice somewhere down the road.
The career of a dental laboratory technician is a great job if you like creating objects, working under exacting conditions, and working by yourself or with just a few coworkers. There is a fair amount of autonomy and the ability to start your own business in the future.