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Career Exploration

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Also called: Dental Ceramist, Dental Laboratory Technician (Dental Lab Tech), Dental Technician (Dental Tech), Denture Technician (Denture Tech)

What they do:

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

On the job, you would:
  • Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
  • Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
  • Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • management
  • customer service

Engineering and Technology

  • design
  • mechanical

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Health

  • medicine and dentistry

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • put together small parts with your fingers
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • listen and understand what people say

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Integrity
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Data base user interface and query software

  • Easy Solutions Easy Lab
  • Mainstreet Systems & Software DentaLab/PC II

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $46,050

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.