Dental technicians are also commonly called technologists. These professionals make dentures, bridges, braces, and other appliances for dental purposes.
If you are interested in a dental technician job, it would be useful to learn more about this career beforehand. Together with the team of job aggregator Jooble, we’ve created this guide to the job and its prospects. You’ll learn about the work environment, required skills and qualifications, as well as salary opportunities.
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What Does a Dental Technician Do?
The main objective for dental technologists is to create appliances for clients. They work according to the prescriptions of a doctor or a dentist. Specialists design and make the majority of products by hand.
Every prescription is unique and requires an individual approach to meet the patient’s needs. Usually, technicians work in laboratories and operate specialized equipment.
Experts use various materials to create the most precise dentures or braces. People interested in this career need to have strong attention to detail and excellent knowledge of dental anatomy.
Specialization Areas
Usually, a technologist chooses one of the four existing specializations. To become an expert, one needs to master their niche knowledge in one of them:
- Prosthodontics (dentures);
- Conservation (crowns and bridges);
- Orthodontics (braces);
- Maxillofacial (reconstruction of faces in oral surgery units after accidents).
It is common to learn continuously and undergo training during the career.
Salary and Career Prospects
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average annual salary for dental laboratory technicians in 2021 was $39,090. But there is a lot of room to grow here.
The same source shows that the career offers a great job outlook – the employment rate is projected to grow by 12% in the years 2020-2030. This is higher than the average.
There is a constant demand for such professionals as people always need qualified dental care.
Required Skills
As a technical but also creative position, it requires both soft and hard skills, including:
- Knowledge of materials used for appliances;
- Facial anatomy expertise;
- Creativity;
- Manual dexterity;
- An eye for detail;
- Critical thinking;
- Communication and interpersonal skills;
- Time management and strong work ethics.
How to Start a Career as Dental Technician?
The exact requirements depend on local regulations and employers (whether it is a state hospital or a private laboratory).
According to BLS, the entry-level education is a high-school diploma. However, one will undergo on-the-job training. But without any experience or education, one can usually be employed only as a dental technician trainee. It is a decent starting point.
Mostly, experts attain specific certifications, like GDC. This is particularly important for working in NHS, for instance. Before that, young professionals need to acquire a diploma in Dental Technology. It is possible to take courses part-time while working as a trainee.
What Your Day Will Be Like
There are some typical tasks most of the experts in this field do daily. You’ll work in a pristine laboratory environment. The majority of technologists work in small ones, where there are not many other people around.
The tasks include pouring and trimming denture models, restoration of dental implants, preparing veneers for crowns, and maintaining laboratory records.
This job includes physical labor and some level of artistry as every appliance is original and made for a particular patient. So although it entails a high level of technical skills, it is also fulfilling on a personal level.
In Summary
Dental technicians provide various appliances for dental patients. They work in laboratories and in accordance with prescriptions to ensure fast recovery and positive change for people.