Dental Lab Schools

Schools by State
for Dental Laboratory Technicians:

AL AZ CA FL GA IA ID IL IN KY LA MA MI MO NC NY OH OR PA TX UT VA WA WI

Career Highlights for
Dental Laboratory Technicians

Training generally required for this career includes: Long-term on-the-job training.

Jobs and Salary
Median Salary (2008)	$34,170
Unemployment Vs. Other Jobs	Low
Jobs (2006)	53,000
Job Growth (2006-2016)	3.7%
Jobs (2016 forecast)	55,000

Flexibility
Working Part-Time	13%
Self-Employed	13%

Education of Current Workers
Bachelor Degree or Higher	12%
Some College	46%
High School or Less	43%

Relevant Job Titles

(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)

Ceramist
Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Technician
Crown and Bridge Technician
Dental Appliance Fixer
Dental Appliance Mechanic
Dental Appliance Repairer
Dental Ceramist
Dental Ceramist Assistant
Dental Equipment Installer and Servicer
Dental Instrument Maker
Dental Laboratory Technician
Dental Laboratory Technician Apprentice
Dental Laboratory Worker
Dental Mechanic
Dental Mold Maker
Dental Technician
Dental Technologist
Denture Contour Wire Specialist
Denture Finisher
Denture Technician
Denture Waxer
Laboratory Technician
Metal Finisher
Model and Dye Person
Orthodontic Band Maker
Orthodontic Technician
Orthodontic Technician Assistant
Partial Design and Survey Technician
Porcelain Technician
Waxer

Information Sources

BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.

Dental Laboratory Technician Job Description

Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.

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 of dental laboratory technicians 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.

Dental Laboratory Technology Degrees and Dental Laboratory Technology 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.

Dental Laboratory Technology 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 Dental Laboratory Technology 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.

Any online program should also be accredited through the Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

Dental Laboratory Technician 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. If the program is offered online, is it also accredited through the DETC? 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?

Relevant Schools That Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site

School names link to detailed profiles. Use the Info from the School link to contact the school directly for more information. You may request information from as many schools as you like.

School	Campuses	Awards	Info
Allied College	MO	Associate	Info From School
Lincoln College of Technology	FL	Coursework	Info From School

Listed below are some of the careers in the US with the most job openings and/or fastest growth, according to US government statistics and BrainTrack's own analysis. BrainTrack's profiles for these careers overview responsibilities, degrees, areas of study, career requirements, online study options, and how to evaluate relevant schools. Each profile also lists relevant US schools including those in each state.

Engineering and Technology