1) ICDC, Los Angeles, CA

ICDC College known for its dedication to preparing students for a career offers online and on campus classes.  ICDC gives Associate degrees and fast- track diplomas to becoming a dental technician.  Students graduate with the skills and education to enter their chosen field.

The Dental Laboratory Technician Fast track Diploma program trains students to build and repair bridges, crowns with plastic and gold instructed by dentist.

Fast Track Program: Fast Track-Career Services- Laboratory Practice-Then, employment in dental labs offices, and schools.

2) Durham Technical Community College, Durham, NC

This college provides technical and career education as a foundation for a Bachelor’s degree. Their programs have assisted residents in continuing and Adult Literacy education.

The Dental Laboratory Technology program teaches dental restorations; Students learn to make complete/ partial dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontics. They also receive practical experience working off campus. Upon completion, they receive an Associate’s degree, or an option for certification in: Partial and Complete Dentures, Crowns, Bridges and Ceramics. After finishing, they work with dentist, dental laboratories, schools, V.A. hospitals, manufacturers, or open dental lab businesses.

3) Florida National University, Miami, FL

Florida National University educates a diverse population of students. They employ a competent faculty that prepares students for their chosen field .FNU provides intensive, small class sessions, as well as cultural education programs.

Dental Laboratory Technician (DT), Career Education Diploma

Dental Technicians need to be skilled craftsman who can design attachments and replacements for natural teeth needed by dental offices. After receiving instructions from the dentist, the technician molds plastic and metal into a precise product.

The program offers technical training in Full and Partial Dentures, Crowns, Bridges and Porcelain. ATB entrance requires scores 200 verbal, 210 Quantitative in Wondertic Basic Skills Test. When students complete the program they are rewarded a diploma upon completion of 60 credits.

4) New York City College of Technology, New York, NY

Restorative Dentistry

Dental Laboratory Technology is a science and an art. Since each dental patient’s needs are different, a dental technician’s work requires accuracy. They work directly with dentists by following detailed instructions, using impressions of the patient’s teeth to create:

·         Full and partial  dentures

·         Crowns/Laminates

·         Orthodontic appliances to correct misaligned teeth

·         Maxio- facial appliances for the face/ oral cavity

Dental technicians work with waxes, plastics, stainless steel, porcelains and other materials with equipment to create attractive, functional replacements.

Understanding your role as a dental technician is important in delivering quality dental health services. Dental technicians are charged with the responsibility of constructing and repairing dentures, and creating crowns and bridges. As a dental technician, you carry out work as prescribed by a dentist. There are three dental technology disciplines that you can specialize in. Some work in all three disciplines and others specialize.

Orthodontics

An orthodontic technician is a professional who is specialized in producing removable appliances called braces which are used in making adjustments to position a tooth in the mouth. As an orthodontic technician, you will create the braces using wires which when tightened, will provide enough force to move a tooth into the required position. Consequently, they improve the facial appearance of a patient as well as the jaw function.

Conservation

This discipline is commonly referred to as crown and bridgework. A dentist will prescribe such work to a patient when a tooth has suffered severe external damage.

Prosthodontics

This field of dental technology requires a dental technician to create full and partial dentures that are used in replacing natural teeth. It is your role as a technician to design quality dentures that will fit perfectly into the jaw of your patient.

Experienced and professional dental technicians may have an opportunity of working as managers or supervisors in large laboratories.  You may also open your own dental enterprise or work for existing dental suppliers.

Requirements to be a dental technician

Typically, dental technicians receive on-the-job training, but many employers prefer to hire those who received formal training in vocational schools and community colleges.  You must have undertaken dental laboratory programs accredited and approved by the American Dental Association. Most programs last for two years after which you should enroll in an associate’s degree program. Other programs take four years for you to complete and leads to a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to getting classroom education, you must also get hands-on experience. You can also choose to become certified through the National Board of Certification which is an independent board formed by the National Association of Dental Laboratories. If you want to be a dental technician, you must have good vision, manual dexterity and identify variations in shape and fine color shadings. Understanding your role as a dental technician helps in achieving your set goals.

A dental technician makes specially designed devices like crowns, bridges, and dentures. Also known as dental lab technicians, these professionals study all kinds of modern technology and acquire the right technical skills that teach them how to create molds for custom fits.

Dental technicians make crowns, dentures, and bridges after developing a mold of a person’s teeth. Even though a two-year degree is necessary for this line of work, sometimes dental labs will instruct beginners who have completed elementary dental courses. Students who want to pursue careers as lab technicians should have superior manual dexterity, proficient vision, and a close attention to detail. They should already know that if they pursue an A.A. degree, their income will increase greatly. Also, they can select their field of specialization like crowns and bridges along with partial or complete dentures.

Earning a high school diploma is a basic requirement when deciding to become a technician. People interested in becoming dental technicians who are enrolled in high school should take math and science classes. Dental technicians generally are not required to be educated formally based on reports by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS states that even though formal education is not necessary to work as a dental technician, employers usually choose to employ high school graduates who have been formally trained. The skills and knowledge in dental laboratory technology are provided at many colleges in the course of two years which leads to a certificate or associate degree. Some four-year bachelor degrees are also available in dental technology.

When selecting a program for dental technician training, it is important to check if the school has received accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA). Not taking an accredited program will prevent these technicians from being qualified to take the certification tests after graduating.

Many dental lab technicians complete an on-the-job training program and start working as helpers. During dental technician training, students may start as helpers and acquire new skills slowly. These technicians may start with basic processes and methods like learning how to pour plaster into an impression. More complicated processes could include learning how to make porcelain bridges and crowns.

To increase the opportunities for employment, technicians should decide to become certified. Certifications are given out by The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. Interested people should have a two-year minimum of experience, fulfill educational demands, and complete written and practical exams.

Dentist lab technicians are skilled craftsmen who are trained to create prosthetic devices in order to fix dental defects. These devices include crowns, bridges, dentures, and other orthodontic items. People who are interested in this career should know that formally trained technicians are more likely to be employed than non-certified technicians. They should do the research and obtain the skills necessary to succeed in this field.

 

A dental technician, sometimes called a dental laboratory technician, creates prosthetics for dental use. These prosthetics include dentures, braces, and crowns. The technician is responsible for many “behind the scenes” procedures. Many dental technicians choose to attend college to learn the skills required for the job.

The skills that a student will learn while studying to become a dental technician include communicating and preparing the patient to receive treatment, taking X-rays, organizing and maintaining records, sterilizing any instruments used during a procedure, and preparing a chair for upcoming patients. The students at dental technician colleges must also learn how to take impressions of teeth and to teach others about proper oral health care procedures. The formal classes that a dental technician student must take include some general education courses like anatomy, math basics, and first aid. The more specific courses include Clinical Dental Procedures, Dental Equipment Use, and Radiography.

It is not absolutely necessary to attend college to become a dental technician, but it is definitely a good idea to get a formal education. The job market is extremely competitive with the economy in its current state and a dental technician with formal education is more desirable than a technician with on-the-job training. If a student is in a hurry, college can take just two years. Other programs, however, may take four years. Some students even continue on with education to move up in the field.

There are programs at vocational and community colleges for dental technician programs. Dental technician colleges will focus on the dental laboratory technology required for the job. Talking to a counselor at a local community college is a great first step to attending college to become a dental tech. While some general education requirements are necessary to get an Associate’s Degree, the program’s core focus is on the skills necessary to work in the field. Since the education requires a hands-on approach and on-the-job training, online programs are not generally available. It is also significant to note that many students may choose to intern or take a job in a clinic while attending school.

After taking all the courses required by the educational program, students may choose to become certified. Students may take the certification exam accredited by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology in order to appear more desirable to potential employers. The exam consists of a practical exam in addition to two written exams. In order to become certified a dental technician student must either graduate from a program specializing in dental technology or work for five years in their desired field.

Becoming a dental technician is a great way to enter a well-paying field in a relatively short period of time. You don’t need years of experience; you simply need to attend dental technician school. Read on to learn more about the requirements for entering dental technician school, what you will learn in dental technician school and about a few popular dental technician schools.

To work as a dental technician, you will need to either earn a special diploma, an associate degree, a certificate or a bachelor’s degree. You can even attend online dental technician programs to become a dental technician. To enroll in a dental technician school, you will need to have a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma. A school may also have additional requirements that you will need to meet before you can enroll in the program.

Before you choose a dental technician school, you should evaluate the courses and training that each program requires. If you want to become a dental laboratory technician, you will take courses in things like orthodontics, crowns and bridges, ceramic techniques, dental materials and general dental laboratory practices. Dental laboratory technician students will also learn about dental anatomy.

If you choose to attend a dental assistant program you will learn about radiology, tooth polishing, dental health, dental anatomy, general dental laboratory procedures and even chair-side skills. Many schools also require their students to complete externships as part of their educational experiences.

No matter which type of school you decide to attend, you will be taught by dental professionals, and you will have the opportunity to practice on real patients. When you graduate you will be full prepared to work as a dental technician.

There are many dental technician schools to choose from when you are searching for programs. Some programs are offered by local schools, and others are offered by schools that operate nationwide. If you are considering attending dental technician school, it is a good idea to look at program descriptions for all of the dental technician programs that are offered in your area. You will also want to consider online programs if you are currently working or lead a busy life. Some of the top nationwide dental technician programs are found at the University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, DeVry University. Many of these programs offer both traditional-style courses that you attend in campus and online programs to fit into your busy life.