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.
Other Community and Technical Colleges
next >Community College of the Air Force
130 W Maxwell Blvd, Montgomery, 36112Telephone:(334) 953-2223
http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/ccaf/
Pima Community College
401 North Bonita Avenue, Tucson, 85709Telephone:(520) 206-4500
http://www.pima.edu
Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, 94523Telephone:(925) 685-1230
http://www.dvc.edu
Los Angeles City College
855 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, 90029Telephone:(323) 953-4000
http://www.lacitycollege.edu/
Pasadena City College
1570 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 91106Telephone:(626) 585-7123
http://www.pasadena.edu
Riverside Community College
4800 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, 92506Telephone:(951) 222-8000 x8979
http://www.rcc.edu/
Florida National College
4425 West 20 Avenue, Hialeah, 33012Telephone:(305) 821-3333
http://www.fnc.edu
Indian River State College
3209 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce, 34981Telephone:(772) 462-4772
http://www.irsc.edu
McFatter Technical Center
6500 Nova Drive, Davie, 33317Telephone:(754) 321-5700
http://www.mcfattertech.com
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.
