Dental Lab Technician School

As a dental lab technician, your main role will be constructing and repairing dental appliances. Working from a dentist's or orthodontist's prescription, notes, and a model of the patient's teeth or mouth, you will create such oral devices as a crown, bridge, or full or partial dentures. If working in a larger laboratory, you may only complete one part of the appliance, whereas in a smaller lab, you might create the entire appliance.



Recommended Schools

National Career College

Diploma
Dental Lab Technician
California

Other Community and Technical Colleges

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Community College of the Air Force

130 W Maxwell Blvd, Montgomery, 36112
Telephone:(334) 953-2223
http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/ccaf/

Pima Community College

401 North Bonita Avenue, Tucson, 85709
Telephone:(520) 206-4500
http://www.pima.edu

Diablo Valley College

321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, 94523
Telephone:(925) 685-1230
http://www.dvc.edu

ICDC College

5422 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 90027
Telephone:(323) 468-0404
http://www.icdccollege.com

Los Angeles City College

855 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, 90029
Telephone:(323) 953-4000
http://www.lacitycollege.edu/

Pasadena City College

1570 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 91106
Telephone:(626) 585-7123
http://www.pasadena.edu

Riverside Community College

4800 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, 92506
Telephone:(951) 222-8000 x8979
http://www.rcc.edu/

Florida National College

4425 West 20 Avenue, Hialeah, 33012
Telephone:(305) 821-3333
http://www.fnc.edu

Indian River State College

3209 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce, 34981
Telephone:(772) 462-4772
http://www.irsc.edu

McFatter Technical Center

6500 Nova Drive, Davie, 33317
Telephone:(754) 321-5700
http://www.mcfattertech.com
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What Does a Dental Lab Technician Do?

Dental lab technicians must be able to: read more [+]

  • Follow precise instructions
  • Use small hand instruments
  • Understand the mechanics of howdifferent teeth are used
  • Have a very keen eye for detail and aesthetics
  • Match the shade of the natural teeth
  • Work independently

Where Do Dental Lab Technicians Work?

The majority of dental lab technicians do not work directly with patients, and many never meet the patients that they are designing devices for. Dental technicians typically work regular daytime business hours on weekdays. They might work evenings or weekends, especially if they are self-employed. Some dental lab technicians work in:

  • Private dental practices
  • Hospitals
  • Dental schools
  • Private dental laboratory
  • Dental suppliers

What is the Average Salary of a Dental Lab Technician?

Salaries for dental lab technicians vary according to the number of years of experience they have, their location, and the size of their company, among other factors. Salaries range from $35,000 to $60,000 per year. In general, the highest paid dental lab technicians are self-employed.

What is the Job Outlook for  Dental Lab Technicians?

The job outlook for dental lab technicians is good. The population is always aging, and as people age, they tend to need more dental work so there is a growing need for dental lab technicians. Patients are more apt than ever to want to save their natural teeth, so crowns and veneers are becoming more common. Patients of any age who lose natural teeth often want them replaced in a cosmetically pleasing manner, so partial and full dentures as well as bridges are in demand.

How Do I Become a Dental Lab Technician?

Many students complete a dental lab technician program at a vocational school after completing high school or obtaining their GED. Sometimes community colleges or dental schools have programs available.

A bachelor's degree is also available from some universities and colleges. A student can take a board exam and become a certified dental technician if they want to, but this is usually not required. It is also possible to be trained on the job without a degree or certificate, depending on the employer. If a dental lab technician is trained on the job, he can take the board examination after five years of work experience to become a certified dental technician.