How to Become a Certified Dental Lab Technician

Partial dentures, plates and bridges are created by dental lab technicians.

The certified dental technician (CDT) designation demonstrates a specialized expertise in the knowledge and applied skills needed in dental technology. This work is a combination of art and science as technicians create dentures, crowns and other mouth applications from patient molds made by licensed dentists. The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) is an independent certification organization dedicated to improving the quality of dental technology through testing and certification of laboratories and technicians. Certified dental technicians are in demand, several opportunities for educational growth and career advancements exist.

Instructions

1. Select a dental laboratory technician program that is fully accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) with competency-based courses in compliance with ADA guidelines. Some are a combination of campus-based and online schools that have extensive hands-on training in certified dental laboratories (CDL) and partial online learning.

2. Apply for the program offering a two-year associate of applied sciences degree. Qualifications are: high school diploma or GED, at least 18 years of age, able to pass hand-eye coordination evaluation and three-dimensional visualization tests.

3. Graduate with an AAS. degree and become eligible to take the recognized graduate (RG) examination: the first step towards attaining certified dental laboratory technician (CDT) through the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC).

4. Take three NBC examinations within four years to become a certified dental technician. The RG exam can replace a written comprehension exam. Also complete a specialty practical and specialty written exam in your chosen area: bridge and crown, complete and partial dentures, ceramics or orthodontics. The total exam and application fee is $835, this can be broken down in separate payments if the exams are taken separately.

5. Renew your CDT annually with 12 hours of documented and specific continuing education credits. This includes one hour in regulatory standards like OSHA/infection or HIV/AIDS, six hours scientific ADA and NBC pre-approved courses and five hours professional developmental credits. An invoice with the due date for proof of credits documentation and renewal fee amount will be sent several months in advance.

Tips & Warnings

• Become a certified dental technologist after work experience and educational requirements are met in accordance with ADA and NBC guidelines.

• Look into acquiring a bachelor's and master's degree in dental technology for career advancements and higher earnings.

• According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the estimate for mean annual earnings for a certified dental technician is $34,000 to $58,000 as of July, 2010.

References

• National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology: How to become a Certified Dental Technician
• J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College: Dental Laboratory Technician
• National Board for Certification: CDT Continuing Education Requirements
• U. S. Board of Labor Statistics: Dental Lab Technician

Resources

• Education Portal: Dental Laboratory Technician Training
• National Board for Certification: Certified Dental Technician Examination Handbook and Application