Dental Lab Tech Job Description

Wax models are used to create prosthetic devices called dental appliances.

Dental laboratory technicians, also known as dental lab techs, make dental appliances from plaster and wax models for cosmetic, functional and restorative purposes. They work for dental prosthetic companies, laboratories and at dental schools. Customer focus, detail-orientation and precise touch are essential qualities in this dental profession.

Duties

Dental lab techs create a variety of dental appliances.

Dental lab techs process prescriptions from dentists to create bridges, braces, crowns, dentures, implants and orthodontic devices. They construct models of patients' mouths with plaster impressions and use a device that mirrors the bite and movement of the human jaw.

Dental lab techs build wax teeth models using specialized tools called wax spatulas and carvers. These wax impressions become foundations for the porcelain and metal composition of the dental appliances.

Education/Training

Formal training is integral.

Dental lab techs must have a high school diploma or GED. Community colleges, vocational schools, universities and the American military provide dental laboratory training.

Twenty programs in dental laboratory technology are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the American Dental Association. Dental lab training programs take between two and four years to complete. Aspiring dental lab techs should take courses in anatomy, art, chemistry, computer science, drafting, metal and wood shop.

Certification

The CDT credential is the gold standard for dental lab techs.

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology offers the Certified Dental Technician (CDT) designation in five specialty areas: complete dentures, ceramics, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures and orthodontic appliances.

Applicants must pass three examinations during a four-year time frame: A written comprehensive, a specialty practical, and a specialty written test. The comprehensive exam has 160 multiple choice questions. The specialty practical and written tests have 80 multiple choice questions.

Dental lab tech certification is mandatory only in the states of Kentucky, South Carolina and Texas.

Key Traits

Precision and good sight are important.

Successful dental lab techs must have precise manual dexterity and follow detailed instructions. They must be to identify different color tones. The flexibility to work nights and weekends to meet customer demands also is integral.

Anticipated Salary

The mean annual salary was $37,690 in 2009.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage for dental lab techs was $18.12 and the mean annual salary was $37,690, as of May 2009. Dental lab techs earned salaries ranging from $21,370 for the lowest 10 percent to $58,390 for the highest 10 percent.

Prospects

The BLS projects job growth of 14 percent in the next decade.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 14 percent for dental lab techs between 2008 and 2018. This figure is faster-than-average compared to all other occupations. An aging American population that will need dental appliances for cosmetic or restorative reasons contributes to the favorable growth prospects, according to BLS.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010 - 2011 Editions: Medical, Dental, and Opthalmic Technicians
• National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology: How to Become a Certified Dental Technician
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009: Dental Laboratory Technicians

Resources

• National Association of Dental Laboratories