Dental Technicians: Career Information

Dental Technicians Job Description: Dental technicians manufacture dental prosthetics including bridges, crowns and dentures according to specifications dentists send to them. They work in specialties that include orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics. Dental technicians are also called dental laboratory technicians.

Employment Facts for Dental Technicians: Dental technicians held 50,000 jobs in 2004.^*

Educational Requirements for Dental Technicians: Although dental technicians generally receive on-the-job training, many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have received formal training available through community colleges and vocational-technical schools and the U.S. Armed Forces. As of 2004, there were 25 dental laboratory programs accredited by the American Dental Association. Most are two year programs that lead to an associates degree, but some are four year programs that lead to a bachelor's degree.

Other Requirements for Dental Technicians: In addition to receiving classroom instruction, dental technologists also need hands-on experience. Some dental technicians choose to become certified. The National Board for Certification, an independent board established by the National Association of Dental Laboratories, offers voluntary certification in dental laboratory technology. One who wants to become a dental technician should have good manual dexterity, good vision, and be adept at recognizing very fine color shadings and variations in shape. Another important trait is an artistic aptitude for detailed and precise work.

Advancement Opportunities for Dental Technicians: Experienced dental technicians who work in large laboratories may become supervisors or managers. Some may teach or work for dental suppliers. Others may open their own laboratories.

Job Outlook for Dental Technicians: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that, although there will be slower than average growth in overall employment for dental technicians through 2014, job opportunities will be favorable.^*

Earnings of Dental Technicians: Dental technicians earned a median annual salary of $34,260 and median hourly wages of $16.47 in 2005.^*

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A Day in a Dental Technician's Life: On a typical day a dental technician will make crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental prosthetics based on dentists' prescriptions. These are some of the steps she will take to make a dental prosthetic device:

• create a model of a patient's mouth by pouring plaster into an impression (mold) made by a dentist;
• examine the model taking note of the patient's bite, surrounding teeth and gum line;
• build and shape a wax model of the patient's teeth or tooth, which the dental technician will use to cast a metal framework for the prosthetic device;
• after casting the metal framework, the dental technician will prepare its surface to adhere to the porcelain "teeth";
• form "teeth" from porcelain by applying it in layers to the prepared metal framework;
• continue to adjust the color and shape of the tooth or teeth, which includes placing it in a porcelain furnace which will allow the porcelain to bake onto the metal framework;

*This is the most recent year for which this information is available.

Information courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Dental Laboratory Technicians on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos238.htm and Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2005, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes519081.htm (visited on May 4, 2007).