Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Dental Laboratory Technician
Job description
Dental Laboratory Technicians make and repair dentures, crowns, bridges and other dental prostheses according to dentists' prescriptions. They work in a dental office, or laboratory. Some are self-employed. Most Technicians specialize in one or two types of work such as crown and bridge, partial dentures, complete dentures, ceramic or metal work, or orthodontics. Technicians often use computers to make crowns. Some Technicians are generalists, responsible for all facets of the work: studying the dentist's prescription, planning the sequence of work, and designing, constructing or repairing the dental appliance. Technicians use molding equipment, various workbench machines, and hand tools, such as grinding or polishing equipment, wax spatulas, and dental lathes.
Technicians who specialize in making, placing, constructing, altering, reproducing or repairing dentures are called Denturists. They examine the mouths of their patients before making or fitting a denture. If they find any disease or abnormality that requires medical or dental care, they refer patients to a physician or dentist. Denturists also give patients advice on the use and care of their dentures.
Salaries and benefits*
Earning potential for Dental Lab Technicians varies depending on skill, specialty, and geographical area. It is greatest for highly skilled Technicians with management ability, and those who operate their own commercial laboratories. Entry-level wage for a Dental Lab Technician is approximately $1,213 to $1,740 per month ($7.00 to $10.00 per hour). A Dental Laboratory Technician 1 with two years of experience, who works for a state institution of higher education, earns $2,259 to $2,864 monthly. Technicians with five years of experience typically earn between $2,400 and $3,000 per month. Precision Dental Lab Technicians in Spokane County average $1,449 to $2,931 per month. In King, Snohomish and Island Counties they average $1,354 to $2,948 per month. Precision Technicians in Benton and Franklin Counties earn $1,127 to $1,411 per month, while those in Yakima County average $1,127 to $2,085 per month. Precision Dental Lab Technicians in the Vancouver/Portland area usually earn between $1,832 to $3,061 per month, and in Whatcom County they average $2,080 to $4,512 per month. The average monthly wage for Dental Lab Technicians in Washington state is $1,449 to $2,931.
Dental ceramists earn the highest salaries. An experienced dental lab technician in a commercial lab may earn between $24,500 to $36,500 per year. Supervisors and managers in private labs earn even higher salaries and self-employed dental lab technicians who work alone or own their own labs can earn significantly higher salaries. Benefits vary.
Training and requirements
Many dental lab technicians are trained on the job, although, training is available through community colleges, vocational-technical institutes, and the armed forces. Formal training programs are two years in length and designed to provide instruction in both the technology and the principles of the five dental technology specialities: complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns and bridges, ceramics, and orthodontics. In Washington State, training is offered at Bates Technical College in Pierce County, and is usually 22 months in length. Training is also offered at Lake Washington Technical College.
Necessary skills
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good eye/hand coordination
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ability to handle small hand tools
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manual dexterity
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excellent vision and color perception
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accuracy and attention to minute detail
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ability to work independently
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interest and ability in biology and anatomy
Licensure/Certification
Dental laboratory technicians can become certified by passing an examination which tests technical skill and knowledge. The examination is administered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. To be eligible for the exam, a student must complete an accredited two year program, be an apprenticed technician with five years of professional experience, and have passed the comprehensive examination.
Helpful high school courses
Include math (through trigonometry and calculus), chemistry, biology, physics, art, and shop.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
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Bates Technical College
1101 South Yakima Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 680-7000
●
Lake Washington Technical College -- program suspended until further notice
11605 132nd Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98034-8506
(425) 739-8100
Outlook*
In Washington, this occupation is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Employment is projected to increase 23 percent by 2008. It is estimated that there will be 69 openings annually, of which 39 will be due to new positions, and 30 will result from workers leaving this occupation.
Professional Associations
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National Association of Dental Laboratories
8201 Greensboro Dr., Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102-3810
(703) 610-9035
(800) 950-1150
http://www.nadl.org
●
Washington State Dental Laboratory Association
P.O. Box 385
Graham, WA 98338-0385
(360) 832-2471
(800) 652-2212
http://www.wsdla.com/
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 3/6/06