How to Get a Dental Lab Technician Certificate in Utah
Dental laboratory technicians make and repair dentures, splints and other dental appliances. According to a 2010 report by Utah Department of Workforce Services, the need for dental laboratory technicians will grow by 4.5 percent in the next 20 years. With an average starting wage of $13.85 an hour, opportunities for advancement and certificate programs lasting only nine months, becoming a dental laboratory technician may be the right career move for you.
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Instructions
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Graduate from high school. All dental laboratory programs require a high school diploma. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, dental laboratory technicians must have good reading comprehension and public speaking skills. High school courses that emphasize these skills are preferred.
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Find a vocational or technical school offering a certificate in dental laboratory technology. The Fine Arts Dental Academy in Provo and AmeriTech College in Draper, Utah are the only schools that offer a certificate in dental laboratory technology. For a full list of accredited programs in other states, visit nadl.org.
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Submit a completed application. Both the Fine Arts Dental Academy and AmeriTech college require proof of a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED), a written explanation if you have been convicted of a crime and a social security number.
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Complete all coursework, obtain certification and an internship in a dental laboratory. Training lasts approximately nine months. Besides anatomy and physiology classes, dental laboratory technicians learn how to make dentures, crowns, orthodontic equipment and splints. Internship programs last about three months and students practice their skills in dental laboratories.
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Apply for jobs after completing and obtaining certification--and after completing internship. Check with the school where the certification was provided, most often technical schools provide job placement services as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Both the Fine Arts Dental Academy and AmeriTech College's dental laboratory programs aren't accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation. According to the Dental Career Guide, graduating from an accredited school is not required, since there are only 24 accredited dental laboratory technician programs.
