What is a Dental Laboratory Technician?
Dental Laboratory Technician Definition Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
List of Dental Laboratory Technician Job Duties
- Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
- Place tooth models on apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient’s jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
- Create a model of patient’s mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
- Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
- Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.
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Qualities of a Dental Laboratory Technician
Dental Laboratory Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Other Dental Laboratory Technician Job Titles
- Orthodontic Technician
- Ceramist
- Bridge Technician
- Dental Ceramist
- Dental Technician (Dental Tech)
Is There Going to be Demand for Dental Laboratory Technicians?
There were about 38,100 jobs for Dental Laboratory Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,500 new jobs for Dental Laboratory Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 5,000 positions for Dental Laboratory Technician per year.
The states with the most job growth for Dental Laboratory Technician are Utah, Michigan, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Missouri, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Dental Laboratory Technician Salary
Dental Laboratory Technicians make between $25,320 and $64,180 a year.
Dental Laboratory Technicians who work in Alaska, Virginia, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dental Laboratory Technicians make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,540 |
| Alaska | $57,940 |
| Arizona | $45,240 |
| Arkansas | $39,260 |
| California | $43,340 |
| Colorado | $47,210 |
| Connecticut | $49,880 |
| Florida | $41,110 |
| Georgia | $43,420 |
| Hawaii | $39,850 |
| Idaho | $45,920 |
| Illinois | $41,800 |
| Indiana | $38,990 |
| Iowa | $42,740 |
| Kansas | $48,000 |
| Kentucky | $44,720 |
| Louisiana | $37,920 |
| Maine | $42,910 |
| Maryland | $39,180 |
| Massachusetts | $45,650 |
| Michigan | $41,310 |
| Minnesota | $44,670 |
| Mississippi | $46,430 |
| Missouri | $40,850 |
| Montana | $51,200 |
| Nebraska | $48,640 |
| Nevada | $42,080 |
| New Hampshire | $41,320 |
| New Jersey | $42,610 |
| New Mexico | $38,390 |
| New York | $50,250 |
| North Carolina | $43,190 |
| North Dakota | $39,540 |
| Ohio | $43,400 |
| Oklahoma | $42,900 |
| Oregon | $40,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,210 |
| Rhode Island | $44,570 |
| South Carolina | $45,560 |
| South Dakota | $32,790 |
| Tennessee | $41,660 |
| Texas | $41,840 |
| Utah | $47,780 |
| Virginia | $52,220 |
| Washington | $43,710 |
| West Virginia | $39,530 |
| Wisconsin | $39,960 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Dental Laboratory Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dental Laboratory Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Scheduling software
- Graphics software
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Inventory management software
- Bookkeeping software
- Database management software
- CAD/CAM
- Computer imaging software
Becoming a Dental Laboratory Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Dental Laboratory Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Laboratory Technician?
Who Employs Dental Laboratory Technicians?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Dental Laboratory Technician may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Dental Laboratory Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Sgt. Dallas Edwards via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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