Dental Laboratory Technicians
| Description |
OES Code: 89921 |
Construct and repair dental appliances such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. They perform many tasks and use a variety of hand tools. The tasks may include mixing ingredients, filling dental-appliance molds, sculpting and building forms, bending and soldering wires, and grinding and polishing finished work. All work is done following instructions written by the dentist and using models and impressions of patients' teeth or mouths.
Wages, California
| Entry-Level Hourly Wage |
$10.08 |
| 25th Percentile |
$11.50 |
| 50th Percentile |
$14.95 |
| 75th Percentile |
$17.23 |
Wages, San Joaquin County
| Entry-Level Hourly Wage |
$9.13 |
| 25th Percentile |
$9.78 |
| 50th Percentile |
$15.77 |
| 75th Percentile |
$19.67 |
Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey
Hours & Benefits
Dental Laboratory Technicians work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Sometimes, overtime is necessary. Fringe benefits usually include paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, health insurance, profit sharing, retirement plans, and uniforms.
Employment Trends, California
| Employment 1998 |
4,800 |
| Projected Employment 2008 |
5,200 |
| Growth 1998-2008 |
8.3% |
| Separations 1998-2008 |
1,000 |
Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
| Employment 1999 |
70 |
| Projected Employment 2006 |
70 |
| Percent Change 1999-2006 |
0% |
| Separations 1999-2006 |
10 |
Employment Trends by California County
Working Conditions
Dental laboratories range in size from one-person firms to large assembly line operations. They are clean, well-lighted, and usually air-conditioned. Dental Laboratory Technicians' work is not strenuous and can usually be performed while seated. Technicians usually have their own workbenches, which are equipped with Bunsen burners, grinding and polishing machines, and various hand tools. Proximity to sharp tools and the high speed grinding and polishing equipment create some hazard.
Advancement
In large laboratories, there are opportunities for promotion to supervisor, department head, or manager positions, especially for those who keep up with the technology and refine their skills. Laboratories sometimes offer a percentage of the profit or a partnership to their most skilled Technicians.
Getting the Job & Other Information
Best contacts can be made through the yellow page listings in telephone directories under the heading "Dentists," which includes Orthodontics and Prosthodontics and the heading "Laboratories-Dental." Another source is the nearest Job Service office of the California Employment Development Department or friends and relatives working in the occupation.
For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. |
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Completion of an accredited two-year course in dental laboratory technology is not only recommended but preferred by many employers. This training enables the trainee to learn quickly and eventually to develop a high level of skill. Instructional courses are offered by many community colleges throughout the State. Write to the National Board for Certification (address appears below) for a list of these colleges.
Certification Information:
National Board for Certification in Dental Technology
3801 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 683-5310
Skills & Other Requirements
Qualifications for this occupation include eye and hand coordination, finger dexterity, attentiveness to detail, mechanical aptitude and spatial comprehension, good eyesight and color perception, and the ability to follow specifications. Patience, dependability, and artistic ability are also desirable characteristics. Speed in meeting deadlines and quality of work are both important to the success of a Dental Laboratory Technician. Thus, many employers use practical tests or probationary periods when hiring.
References
California Occupational Guide #243
Related Occupations: Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Dentists,
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