Dental Technician - Career Information

Dental Technician - Career InformationDental Technician - Career InformationDental technicians manufacture dental prosthetics including bridges, crowns,and dentures. They construct these devices based on impressions dentists and dental hygienists take of patients teeth. Dental technicians also follow dentists written and oral instructions. They have no direct contact with patients themselves. Areas of specialization include orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics. Dental technicians are also called dental laboratory technicians. Quick Facts Dental techniciansearned amedian annual salaryof $37,680(2016).38,100 people work in this occupation(2016).They typically work full time.Most dental technicians work in small laboratories but some work in laboratories that employ hundreds of technicians.This occupation has an excellentjob outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. The agency classifies it as a bright outlook occupation. A Day in a Dental Technicians Life These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for dental technician positions found onIndeed.com Trim andpourdenture modelsFabricate porcelain veneers for crowns, fixed dental prostheses, implant restorations, and all-ceramic crowns usingceramo-metal techniquesBuild and finish porcelain fused to metal restorationsFinish full and partial dentures with and without implantsFabricate accurate models from doctors impressionsMaintain dental laboratory records and prepare reports on laboratory activities How to Become a Dental Technician Most employers provide on-the-job training. You will learn how to do simple tasks like pouring plaster into an impression a dentist has made of a patients teeth. As you progression on your job, you will learn how to make crowns and dentures. If you choose, you can also get formal instruction at somecommunity colleges and technical schools. You may wantto become certified,but it is voluntary to do so. Certification may make you a more desirable job candidate. The National Board for Certification, an independent board established by the National Association of Dental Laboratories, offers the CDT credential. To earn this certification, you will have to take written and practical exams that demonstrate your knowledge and skills in your chosen specialty. WhatSoft SkillsDo You Need to Succeed in This Career? Dental technicians need thesesoft skillsor personal qualities Manual Dexterity As a dental technician, you will have to work with your hands and keep them steady for long periods of time.Attention to Detail You must follow dentists prescriptions and work orders exactly.Time Management SkillsIt is essential to complete work in a timely fashion.Critical Thinking SkillsWhen you encounter a problem, before you can solve it, you will have to weigh all the possible solutions and choose the best one.Listening Skills The ability to understand what others are telling you is essential. Reading Comprehension You must be able to understand written documentation as well as work orders and prescriptions from dentists.Interpersonal Skills Some projects will require working on a team with other technicians. WhatWill Employers ExpectFrom You? Here are some requirementsfromactual job announcements found onIndeed.com Strong communication, organization skills, and customer follow upAbility to conduct physical work, frequently lift 15 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbsOutstandingtelephoneand customer service etiquette skillsNaturally persuasive with some leadership potential mixed inAbility to travelHighly motivated, dependable, individual with a strong work ethic Is This Occupation a Good Fit for You? Is a career as a dental technician right for you? Yourinterests,personality type, andwork-related valuesall play a role in your decision. Individuals who have the following tra its, are best suited for this occupation Interests(Holland Code) RIC (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional)Personality Type(MBTI PersonalityTypes) ISFJ, ISTJ, ISTP,ISFP,Work-Related Values Support, Independence, Working Conditions Related Occupations TitleDescriptionMedian Annual Wage (2016)Minimum Required Education/TrainingMedical Appliance TechnicianMakes, fits, and repairs medical supportive devices$35,980H.S. or equivalency diplomaMolding and Casting WorkerPerforms tasks to manufacture a variety of products$30,610H.S. or equivalency diplomaOphthalmic Laboratory TechnicianMakes eyeglasses and contact lenses$30,640H.S. or equivalency diplomaWelderJoins or cuts metal parts$39,390H.S. or equivalency diploma with technical and on-the-job training Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,Occupational Outlook Handbook Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,O*NETverbunden(visited April 5, 2018).