About Dental Laboratory Technicians
A good choice for a career is to become a dental laboratory technician. It does not require a four-year degree and it can lead to promotions or specialization for better pay. The job requires finger dexterity and attention to details. This is the type of job for people who like to tinker with small apparatus or to create and fix things with their hands.
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Function
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Dental laboratory technicians perform the tasks of constructing and repairing dentures, crowns and bridges. They use different tools to perform each task. They mix ingredients to create dental pieces or accessories, filling the dental molds to build forms, creating polished porcelain dentures and crowns as well as soldering and bending wires for braces. They work closely with the dentists, who turn in their requests based on the dental needs of their patients. The dental lab technician uses the impressions of the patient's teeth and mouth as well as X-rays for reference.
Types
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There are different types of responsibilities based on the position or rank in a dental laboratory technician's job. There are all-around workers who do everything from planning, designing, mixing, preparing and creating the finished product. They also repair and adjust dental appliances. The second type is the denture technician who is responsible for designing full or partial dentures. There are specialists such as the "ceramists" specializing in ceramic work whether it is porcelain crown, bridges, caps, inlays or dentures. The "metalists" specialize in metalwork, by designing and fabricating metal clasps and braces. Lastly, there are the so-called orthodontic technicians who are responsible for designing, constructing and reworking orthodontics.
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Considerations
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In order to land a job as a dental laboratory technician, one must study and complete a two-year accredited course in dental laboratory technology. It is important to go through the hands-on training and be able to pass the practical and written exams to complete the course. The National Board for Certification in Dental Technology (NBC) conducts certifications both in practical and written tests. Employers prefer to hire licensed or certified dental lab technicians.
Benefits
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One can expect stable pay that is higher than the minimum wage. The pay rate depends on the level of skills and experience. It is an in-demand job because there is always a need for dental work whether in a dental clinic, working in close partnership with the dentist or in a bigger setting such as in a dental laboratory as part of a team of dental laboratory specialists. It is a health-related job; therefore, it is recession proof. Those who are specialists are entitled to extra profit or bonuses.
Potential
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There are opportunities for advancement in this position. In a company or large laboratory, one can land a supervisory job, management position or even a position as a department head. One can continue to specialize in each area of responsibility and become a specialist who can demand higher pay. Continuing education by attending advanced training and additional licenses would lead to higher positions and earning potentials. One can also opt to continue to pursue a degree in dentistry if desired.
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