Dental Technician
According to the American Dental Association, “dental laboratory technology is an art and a science.” A dental technician’s duties are widespread and diverse. It is a great field for people who enjoy working with dentists and not directly with patients.
Dental Technician’s Environment
À dental laboratory technician’s work is fragile, precise, and time consuming. Their work environment is usually well lit, private, clean, and well ventilated. The workstation is equipped typically with Bunsen burners, equipment for polishing and grinding, carvers and spatulas, and other hand instruments.
Dental Technician’s Duties
A dental technician fills dental prosthetic prescriptions for dentists, with detailed written instructions. The prescription is either for functional or cosmetic dentistry.
Following is a typical duty of a dental technician: An impression of the mouth and the specification of the requested item, such as a tooth are sent to the technician. The technician pours plaster into a mold formed from… Read the rest
Those interested in healthcare, seeking a creative outlet and a means of escaping the public eye could find their calling as a dental technician. Those with an eye for detail and artistic ability may thoroughly enjoy the creation of dental prosthetics such as bridges, crowns and dentures. Dental technicians, often referred to as dental laboratory technicians, have bright futures thanks to projected opportunities for advancement and increases in employment.
Dental technicians can be likened to fine craftsmen working behind the scenes. Dentists deliver patient prescriptions to their technicians, who fashion life-like molds according to specifications. Usually, dental technicians work with digital impressions rather than actual molds due to the advancement of computer technology. Plaster molds are poured first, and serve as a point of observation for dimensions: Teeth, gum-line and bite are determined, which aids in the shaping of a wax mold. Specialized tools are used to cast metal… Read the rest
Working in the dental field is an exciting, rewarding and viable career choice. Of the many paths available in the field, that of the dental technician is very promising in terms of career satisfaction and steady employment. Dental technicians work in dental labs creating bridges, crowns, dentures, veneers and other prosthetic devices. Dental technicians work with molds taken from patients by dentists to create a customized fit for each device. A person interested in learning how to become a dental technician should have good hand to eye coordination and manual dexterity, as the job requires steady hands and strong attention to detail to create the perfect fitting prosthetic.
Some dental technicians typically train on the job, however a formal training with certification is available and is strongly recommended for those who enter this field. Dental technicians are different from dental hygienists, although the two are sometimes confused. A dental technician… Read the rest
While in some places they are called dental technicians, they are also referred to as dental laboratory technicians. Their main duties include manufacturing the various dental products that dentists use in treating a patient such as dental prosthetics, bridges, and crowns. They also make dentures according to the various specifications that the dentists provide. They also handle special fields such as orthodontic appliances and ceramics.
Dental technician careers are expected to grow at a faster than average rate through 2018, which is a great sign for those interested in this type of position. When you have gained experience in this field, those who work in large dental factories can be promoted to supervisory positions or management while still others choose to teach or even work with suppliers of the dental products. This type of career makes a great stepping stone for those who are entrepreneurial types and want to eventually… Read the rest
Dental technicians are the people working behind the dentists, making more beautiful smiles by creating dentures, dental crowns and bridges. Their everyday responsibility is to manufacture these orthodontic appliances according the specifications ordered by the dentist. This profession also has its areas of specialization, like preparing acrylic or porcelain tooth replacements. Dental technicians are also known as dental laboratory technicians.
The present average salary of dental technicians is at $42,000. In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics declared that the median salary for this profession is $34,170. They also reported that dental technicians can make as much as $58,000 and as little as $21,000 for beginning technicians in some parts of the country.
Factors affecting the salary of dental laboratory technicians include their level of certification, experience in the field and the type of employer they work for.
Those who pursue their education in a related field and become a… Read the rest
An applicant for the position of dental technician needs to have a minimum of a two-year degree, with some dental offices requiring a Bachelor’s Degree for the position. Students who are attending college to become a dental technician spend a significant portion of their time in a laboratory setting acquiring hands-on training. Those who graduate from a two-year college may find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to having enough practical experience to compete for available jobs.
Once a student has received a degree as a dental technician and is employed by a private clinic, he or she will also spend most of each day in a laboratory. Duties performed as a dental technician include manufacturing dental appliances for the purpose of improved oral health of the dentist’s patients. He or she may create dental bridges and crowns, dentures, orthodontic devices like retainers and mouth gear to prevent patients… Read the rest
