Dental Lab Technician

Duties and responsibilities

ª   Maintains and improves patients' oral health by fabricating fixed and removable prostheses according to dentist prescriptions.

ª   Replaces partial or total loss of natural teeth by constructing partial or full dentures (metal and non-metal).

ª   They also restore natural teeth by fabricating crowns and bridges.

ª   Corrects dental irregularities by manufacturing fixed or removable appliances.

ª   Completes implantology procedures by fabricating prostheses to fit implants the dentist places directly into the patient's jawbone.

ª   Replaces missing facial and body tissues due to injury, disease, or developmental abnormality by fabricating maxilla-facial prostheses.

Salary

ª  According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics May 2009 report, the average annual salary for a dental lab technician was $37,690 or an hourly wage of $18.12.

Education

         ª   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. In most cases, an interested individual needs a high school diploma or its equivalent to apply to an accredited dental laboratory technology program

Reflection

No I would not like to be a dental lab technical because that’s not the type of job I’m looking forward to. Also because they don’t win a lot of money. But it’s a very interesting job in the other hand.