Dental Laboratory Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Dental laboratory technicians create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental prosthetics.

Quick Facts: Dental Laboratory Technicians
2010 Median Pay	$35,140 per year $16.90 per hour
Entry-Level Education	High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	40,900
Job Outlook, 2010-20	1% (Little or no change)
Employment Change, 2010-20	300

What Dental Laboratory Technicians Do

Dental laboratory technicians use impressions, or molds, of a patient’s teeth to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances. They work closely with dentists but have limited contact with patients.

Work Environment

Dental laboratory technicians generally work in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated laboratories.

How to Become a Dental Laboratory Technician

There are no postsecondary education requirements to become a dental laboratory technician, but most have at least a high school diploma. Technicians usually learn their skills on the job.

Pay

The median annual wage of dental laboratory technicians was $35,140 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of dental laboratory technicians is expected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020. Baby boomers and their children are more likely than previous generations to retain their teeth. This could lead to a decrease in the number of full and partial dentures and other prosthetics used to replace missing teeth.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental laboratory technicians with similar occupations.

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What Dental Laboratory Technicians Do About this section

Dental laboratory technicians follow detailed work orders and prescriptions from a dentist.

Dental laboratory technicians use impressions, or molds, of a patient’s teeth to create crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental appliances. They work closely with dentists but have limited contact with patients.

Duties

Dental laboratory technicians typically do the following:

Follow detailed work orders and prescriptions from a dentist, to create a dental appliance
Mix plaster and other pastes to fill molds from impressions taken by a dentist
Cover molds and frameworks with mixtures and allow them to set
Place the dental appliance on an apparatus that mimics the patient's bite and jaw movement
Examine the appliance, noting the size and shape of adjacent teeth and gaps in the gumline
Sculpt or carve parts of an appliance, such as individual teeth
Adjust prosthetics to allow for a more natural look or to improve function
Repair dental appliances that may be cracked or damaged, such as dentures and crowns

Dental laboratory technicians work with small handtools, such as files and polishers. They work with many different materials to make prosthetic appliances, including wax, plastic, and porcelain. In some cases, technicians work with computer programs to create appliances or to get impressions sent from a dentist’s office.

In small laboratories, technicians do all stages of the work. In large laboratories, technicians may work on only one step of the process, such as waxing or polishing appliances.

Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in one of six areas: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, implants, and ceramics. Technicians may have different job titles, depending on their specialty. For example, technicians who make porcelain and acrylic restorations, such as veneers and bridges, are called dental ceramists.

Dental laboratory technicians are part of a larger dental team. They work closely with dentists and other technicians. For more information, see the profile on dentists.

Work Environment About this section

Dental laboratory technicians need to work well with their hands.

Dental laboratory technicians held about 40,900 jobs in 2010.

Dental laboratory technicians work in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated laboratories. They usually have limited contact with the public.

Most dental laboratories are small and employ only a few workers. Some dental laboratories, however, have as many as several hundred employees.

Technicians may wear goggles to protect their eyes, gloves to handle hot objects, and masks to avoid inhaling dust.

How to Become a Dental Laboratory Technician About this section

Dental laboratory technicians work carefully to create realistic dental prosthetics.

There are no postsecondary education requirements to become a dental laboratory technician, but most have at least a high school diploma. Technicians usually learn their skills on the job.

Training

Most dental laboratory technicians learn through on-the-job training. They usually begin as helpers in a laboratory and learn more advanced skills as they gain experience. For example, technicians may begin by pouring plaster into an impression to make a model. As they become more experienced, they may progress to more complex tasks, such as making porcelain crowns and bridges. Because all laboratories are different, the length of training varies.

Education

A high school diploma is the standard requirement for getting a job as a dental laboratory technician. High school students interested in becoming dental laboratory technicians should take courses in science, mathematics, computer programming, and art.

Formal education programs are available for dental laboratory technicians through vocational schools, community colleges, and universities. Most programs take 2 years to complete, though there are a few 4-year programs available. All programs have courses in dental anatomy, dental ceramics, dentures, and partial dentures. As laboratories continue to manufacture parts for dental appliances using advanced computer programs, it may be helpful for technicians to take courses in computer skills and programming.

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Dental laboratory technicians must pay attention to details. To create realistic prosthetics for each patient’s mouth, they must notice slight differences in color and shape.

Dexterity. Dental laboratory technicians must work well with their hands because they use precise laboratory instruments.

Technical skills. Dental laboratory technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery. Some procedures are automated, so technicians must know how to operate and change the programs that run the machinery.

Certification

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBCCERT) offers certification as a Certified Dental Technician (CDT). Certification is available in six specialty areas: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, implants, and ceramics.

To qualify for the CDT, technicians must have at least 5 years of on-the-job training or experience in dental technology, or have graduated from an accredited dental laboratory technician program. They must also pass three exams.

The NBCCERT also provides a modularization program that leads to a Certificate of Competency. Dental technicians can also get at Certificate of Competency in each specific skill through a written and practical exam on that skill.

Advancement

In large laboratories, dental laboratory technicians may work their way up to a supervisory level and may train new technicians. Some may go on to own their own laboratory.

Pay About this section

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Median annual wages, May 2010

Dental Laboratory Technicians: $35,140
Total, All Occupations: $33,840
Production Occupations: $30,330

The median annual wage of dental laboratory technicians was $35,140 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned more than $20,940, and the top 10 percent earned more than $58,560.

Job Outlook About this section

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Total, All Occupations: 14%
Production Occupations: 4%
Dental Laboratory Technicians: 1%

Employment of dental laboratory technicians is expected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020.

As cosmetic prosthetics, such as veneers and crowns, become less expensive, there should be an increase in demand for these appliances. Accidents and poor oral health, which can cause damage and loss of teeth, will continue to create a need for dental laboratory technician services. Dental technician services will be in demand, as dentists work to improve the aesthetics and function of patients’ teeth.

On the other hand, baby boomers and their children are more likely to retain their teeth than previous generations. This is due to increased visits to dentists, increased use of fluoride, and more dental health education. These factors will likely lead to a decrease in the number of full and partial dentures and other prosthetics used to replace missing teeth and will temper demand for the technicians that make them.

Employment projections data for dental laboratory technicians, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Dental Laboratory Technicians	51-9081	40,900	41,200	1	300	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of dental laboratory technicians.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Dentists	Dentists diagnose and treat problems with a patient’s teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.	Doctoral or professional degree	$146,920
Medical Appliance Technicians	Medical appliance technicians construct, fit, and repair medical supportive devices, including prosthetic limbs, arch supports, facial parts, and foot and leg braces.	High school diploma or equivalent	$35,670
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are also commonly known as manufacturing opticians, optical mechanics, or optical goods workers.	High school diploma or equivalent	$27,970
Optometrists	Optometrists perform eye exams to check for vision problems and diseases. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed.	Doctoral or professional degree	$94,990
Orthotists and Prosthetists	Orthotists and prosthetists, also called O&P professionals, design medical support devices and measure and fit patients for them. These devices include artificial limbs (arms, hands, legs, and feet), braces, and other medical or surgical devices.	Master’s degree	$65,060