Dental Laboratory Science is the profession that provides dentists with the prosthetic devices used to rehabilitate disorders in the mouths of their patients. The dental technician is able to work independently with various materials such as gold, porcelain, and acrylics to provide precision restorations to address patient needs. This is accomplished by using the instructions provided on a prescription from a board certified dentist and with the impressions of the patient’s teeth.
Dental technicians have extensive knowledge of dental materials and dental anatomy. They blend this knowledge with mechanical skills and artistic aptitudes that are highly valued in the profession. Examples of some of the appliances made by dental technicians are gold crowns, porcelain bridges, removable partial dentures, complete dentures, and orthodontic devices. The bachelor degree-prepared technologist is expected to perform even more complex tasks, trouble shoot, effectively manage and supervise various types of dental laboratory operations.
Areas of Work and Emerging Areas of Specialty
Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in 1 of 5 areas: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics. large dental laboratories, technicians may become supervisors or managers. Experienced technicians may teach or may take jobs with dental suppliers in such areas as product development, marketing, and sales. Still, for most technicians, opening one’s own laboratory is the way toward advancement and higher earnings. Some dental laboratory technicians work in offices of dentists. Others work for hospitals providing dental services. Some dental laboratory technicians open their own offices or work in dental laboratories in their homes.
Job Outlook
Recent information published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the job outlook for should be favorable. During the last few years, demand has arisen from an aging public that is growing increasingly interested in cosmetic prostheses. For example, many dental laboratories are filling orders for composite fillings that are the same shade of white as natural teeth to replace older, less attractive fillings.
Salary range
Median hourly earnings of dental laboratory technicians vary from $18.00 in offices of dentists and $16.00 in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing. It should be noted that the above ranges are for bench technicians. Graduates of our program will be highly skilled in laboratory skills/techniques that are used in upper management positions and even lab ownership. These positions will command higher salaries.
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