The Art and Science of Dental Technology

Dental laboratory technology is the art and science of manufacturing corrective devices and replacments for natural teeth.

Restorative (or prosthetic) dentistry is when we lose our teeth, through an accident or illness, and they need to be replaced to maintain normal functions. Orthodontic treatment is when teeth must be moved or stabilized to optimize functions or prevent painful dysfunction. The patient's dentist will plan the treatment and place the restoration or corrective device in the patient's mouth.

But there is another skilled professional behind the scene, working on the written orders or prescription of the dentist, who manufacturers the restoration or device.This is the dental laboratory technician.

The Art

Each restoration the technician makes will be different and each must simulate the function of the natural teeth. But, beyond that, the technician's great challenge is to capture and recreate both the perfection and the imperfection of natural teeth.

The Science

Many materials are available to be used by technicians:

• For Fixed Restorations (crowns and bridges) - ceramics, plastics and metal alloys
• For Removable Restorations (such as dentures) - the technician must understand physical forces and the characteristics and handling properties of wires and plastic materials.

History of the Dental Laboratory

As the art and science of dentistry continued to develop, special processes and skills were developed in manufacturing prosthetic devices. Since these processes and skills were in demand by other dentists, the practice of sending out laboratory work to those possessing the processes began.

Dr. W. H. Stowe opened the first dental laboratory in Boston in 1887. The establishment of the commercial dental laboratory led quickly to the training of apprentices and thus the dental laboratory technician.

The Necessary Skills

Good candidates for careers in dental technology usually possess good eye-hand coordination and color perception, dexterity in using small instruments, the patience to attend to minute detail and an interest in learning the underlying material sciences.

The Work Setting

Most dental technicians are employed in commercial dental laboratories. Commercial dental laboratories are often very small, having only two or three employees. There are also, however, some very large labs with over 100 employees. Some private dental offices have their own laboratory.

Military services still train and employ a number of dental technicians. Schools teaching dental technology offer some teaching positions for experienced technicians.

Dental technology is an excellent field for persons who dream of owning their own business someday. It is imperative, however, that technicians who wish to become entrepreneurs first educate themselves in sound business practices.

 

Getting Started

Many dental laboratories - larger ones in particular - offer positions for trainees. Persons hired at the entry level many rapidly progress to being productive employees, performing a limited range of laboratory procedures.

Another route to a career in dental laboratory technology is by completing one of the two-year or four-year degrees in dental technology offered through educational programs. Download the current list of U.S. schools offering dental laboratory technology programs: U.S. Dental Lab Schools

These courses provide students with broad-based theory and an introduction to laboratory procedures across the various dental technology specialties.

A graduate may expect to be hired at a salary not significantly higher than that of a paid trainee, but should be able to progress far more rapidly to a professional level.

Earnings

Because of a wide variety of employment settings, and the wide possible range of skill levels, it is difficult to establish meaningful averages for earnings.

NADL conducted an industry survey in 2007, and the following statistics are part of the survey results.

The Professional Dental Technician

Most states set no minimum qualifications for persons to be employed as dental technicians. However, the industry encourages standards for the benefit of the dental patient.

New materials, techniques and equipment are regularly introduced to dental technology and technicians must continue their education through training courses and seminars.

Technicians who have at least five years of education and experience in dental technology are encouraged to distinguish themselves by taking the examinations to become Certified Dental Technicians (CDTs) in different specialty areas.

For more information on the Certified Dental Technician certification, please contact the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology, Inc. by phone: (800) 684-5310, by fax: (850) 222-3019 or by email: cdt@nadl.org.

The Dental Technology Industry - Industry Statistics

The Future of Dental Laboratory Technology *

Dentistry and dental laboratory technology have been, are and will continue to be ever-changing interrelated fields of endeavor. Both health and aesthetics will continue to be driven forces in the continuing development of dentistry.

As we move onward further into the 21st century, we see a period of true promise and steady growth in dentistry and dental laboratory receipts. There will be no decline in the demand for dental services, rather the demand will grow.

The future of the entire dental arena is very promising.

* Taken from the Golden Quarter Century by Peter Stein, BS, MB & PA.

If you would like additional information about becoming a dental laboratory technician, please contact:

NADL
325 John Knox Rd #L103
Tallahassee, FL 32303
phone: (850) 224-0711
fax: (850) 222-3019
email: nadl@nadl.org

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