A new 10-minute video, “Dental Laboratory Technology” is now available from the American Dental Association (ADA). Aimed at middle and high school students to interest them in a career as a dental laboratory technician, the video highlights the artistic, detailed work of dental laboratory technicians and depicts technicians working in small to medium and larger laboratories.
According to an article by Gordon J. Christensen, D.D.S., Ph.D. in the May 2005 Journal of the American Dental Association, dental technology is not a visible vocational option. Many laypeople do not know that it exists. About 40 percent of the 12,000 dental laboratories in the United States have only one technician.
“This new video is excellent and will be of significant assistance in helping reduce the current and increasing lack of laboratory technicians,” Dr. Christensen says.
According to the ADA, dental laboratory technicians are a significant part of the dental health care team and are responsible for making veneers, crowns, dentures and fixed prostheses to help people who have lost some or all of their teeth.
Dental technicians can begin their careers without a college degree; however, continuing education is encouraged. According to the ADA, studying in a Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited program provides formal education based on the latest procedures and techniques.
Excerpts of the video and ordering information are posted on the ADA’s Web site at: http://www.ada.org/goto/smileabout. The video is available in both VHS and DVD formats and can also be ordered by calling 312-440-2717. Single copies are $20; multiple copies cost less.
The video was produced with funding from the ADA Foundation, thanks to contributions from the American College of Prosthodontists, Dental Services Group, Sentage Corporation, National Association of Dental Laboratories, Dentsply International, Glidewell Laboratories, Inc., National Dentex Corporation and Nevin Laboratories, Inc. Video footage was shot at Distinctive Dental Studio, Naperville, IL.
Other promotional materials and resources promoting dental laboratory technology as a career are also available such as a brochure, fact sheet, recruitment packet and CD-Rom and others. If you would like further information on the ADA’s efforts promoting this career area, please contact Beverly Skoog at skooogb@ada.org.