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Degrees and Schools
Although many dental laboratory technicians are trained on-the-job within 3-4 years, employers typically prefer candidates with some formal training. Two-year associate's degree programs are offered through a few community colleges and vocational schools, and there are some 4-year bachelor's programs in dental technology. Programs are accredited through the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Graduates of two-year programs must gain additional work experience before they are considered fully qualified.
Classes
Dental laboratory technology students divide their time between class and lab. Courses typically cover:
- science of dental materials
- oral anatomy
- procedures of fabrication
- ethics
Additional coursework in business and marketing is recommended for students who intend to open their own laboratory or work for suppliers developing and marketing products.
Online Classes and Programs
There are a few online programs in dental laboratory technology. Although convenient, these programs do not usually provide access to dental laboratories, and may not be accredited through the ADA. Online courses in dental laboratory technology can supplement the education of dental laboratory technicians being trained on the job.
Online courses should be part of an institution with accreditation from agencies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or United States Department of Education (USDE).
Employment and Education Requirements
Professional certification through the National Board for Certification in Dental Technology (NBCDT) is required in some states. There are five specialty areas in which a dental laboratory technician can be certified: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, partial dentures, complete dentures and ceramics. Employers often prefer candidates who are certified.
Admission into two- and four-year degree programs usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, college entrance exam scores, and specific prerequisite courses.
How to Evaluate Dental Laboratory Technology Schools
When comparing two-year degree programs in dental laboratory technology, be sure to ask these questions:
- Emphasis and focus - Is the program focused on preparing students for certification through the NBCDT? Does it focus on particular areas of specialty more than others?
- Accreditation and location - Is the program accredited through the ADA. Is the school located in a state where certification is required?
- Admission requirements - Does the school require a high school diploma, college entrance exam scores, or prerequisite courses?
- Class structure and practical experience - Does the school have its own lab, or does it work with labs in the community? If lab use is contracted out, are there opportunities for employment with those labs at graduation?
- Tuition and financial aid - Are scholarships, student loans and grants available through the school? How much assistance does the school provide in taking advantage of these opportunities?
- Graduate success - How many students obtained certification after graduating? Does the school offer comprehensive job placement assistance?
Dental Laboratory Technician Job Description
There are many different kinds of medical devices that are used by dentists to repair, preserve and enhance patients' teeth. Dental laboratory technicians create these devices according to dentists' prescriptions. They may specialize in one or more of these areas:
- orthodontic appliances
- ceramics
- complete dentures
- partial dentures
- crowns and bridges
Responsibilities usually include:
- Receiving order specifications and molds or digital impressions from dentists
- Creating models from the impressions using plaster
- Analyzing unique characteristics of patients' mouths by examining models
- Building and shaping wax models of individual or multiple teeth
- Forming metal framework for dental devices
- Preparing metal frameworks to bond with porcelain
- Applying porcelain in layers to shape teeth to fit well within the patients' model
- Baking prosthetic teeth in a porcelain furnace
- Adjusting color and shape of prosthetic teeth
- Grinding down and polishing prosthetics to create exact replicas
Dental laboratory technicians may be involved in each stage of creation, or complete certain stages of production as part of a team.
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