Dental Technician
Duties and Responsibilities:
They maintain and improve patients oral
health by fabricating fixed and removable prostheses according to dentist
descriptions. Replaces partial or total loss of natural teeth by constructing
partial or full dentures (metal and non-metal).
Restores natural teeth by
fabricating crowns and bridges.
Corrects dental
irregularities by manufacturing fixed or removable appliances.
Completes implantology
procedures by fabricating prostheses to fit implants the dentist places
directly into the patient's jawbone.
Replaces missing facial and
body tissues due to injury, disease, or developmental abnormality by
fabricating maxillo-facial prostheses.
Documents actions by
completing forms, reports, logs, and records.
Utilizes and conserves
supplies and equipment by completing plaster casting, electro-spot welding,
metal casting, metal polishing, wax modeling, ceramics, wire bending,
electroplating and sandblasting; using CAD/CAM units; maintaining supplies
inventories; keeping equipment operating.
Improves quality results by
studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes.
Updates dental laboratory
technician job knowledge and skills by participating in educational
opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal
networks; participating in professional organizations.
Enhances dental laboratory
reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests;
exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
Salary: $36,000-
$100,000
Education: Dental laboratory
technicians may receive their education and training through a two-year program
at a community college, vocational school, technical college, university or
dental school. Graduates of these programs receive either an associate degree
or a certificate. There also are a few programs that offer a four-year
baccalaureate program in dental technology.
Reflection: Do you think you would like to be one? Why? Why not?