1. What is Dental Technology?

Dental laboratory technology is the art and science of fabricating corrective devices and replacements for natural teeth. The patient's dentist plans the treatment and places the restoration or corrective device in the patient's mouth and the laboratory technician, following the written orders or prescription of the dentist, fabricates the restoration or device. The technician's great challenge is to capture and recreate both the perfection and the imperfection of natural teeth.

2. What is the Dental Technology Program?

The dental technology program prepares the student to be a competent dental technician in the commercial laboratory, an educational institution, a dental manufacturing company, or the private dental office. To implement the goal, the prospective student must satisfactorily meet the requirements of courses in both the dental technology area and in the science, business, and humanities area. Persons interested in careers in dental technology should have a sincere interest in working with their hands and find satisfaction in their creative work.

3. How long will it take me to finish the course?

The program is designed to cover four semesters over a two-year period.

4. What skills do I need in order to be a dental technician?

Dental laboratory technicians need artistic aptitude for detailed and precise work, a high degree of manual dexterity, and good vision.

Dental Technicians work as part of the Dental Team with Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Nurses and Oral Surgeons. They require a high degree of manual dexterity, quick thinking, good problem solving techniques and the ability to use their skills across a wide and varied range of tasks. They should be confident in their skills, professional in their attitude with colleagues and have the desire to create appliances to the exacting standard required. They are responsible for constructing a range of oral and facial appliances to a dentist’s prescription.

5. How much win I earn as a dental technician?

Technicians in large laboratories tend to specialize in a few procedures, and, therefore, tend to be paid a lower wage than those employed in small laboratories that perform a variety of tasks.

In the U.S., dental technicians are paid at US$12.00 per hour; in Canada, it is 10-15,000 Canadian Dollars monthly and here in the Philippines, rate starts from Php10, 000 up to Php60, 000 monthly.

All of the above salaries are averages for qualified Dental Technicians. Salaries in the private sector are dependent upon experience and qualifications.

6. What are the job opportunities in the field of dental technology?

Graduates of the two-year dental technology program find that career opportunities are excellent. The trained dental technician not only has a wide choice of geographic location for the pursuit of a career, but can also choose working conditions. Graduates are employed by commercial dental laboratories, dental schools, dental supply companies, private dental offices, or are self-employed in their own dental laboratories.

Some dental laboratory technicians work in offices of dentists. Others work for hospitals providing dental services. Some technicians work in dental laboratories in their homes, in addition to their regular job.

Dental laboratory technicians also may specialize in one of five areas: Orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics. Job titles may reflect specialization in these areas. For example, technicians who make porcelain and restorations are called dental ceramists.

Job opportunities for dental laboratory technicians should be favorable, despite expected slower-than-average growth in the occupation through the year 2012. Employers have difficulty filling trainee positions, probably because entry-level salaries are relatively low and because the public is not familiar with the occupation.

7. How about job opportunities abroad?

There is a great demand for dental technicians abroad especially for Filipino dental technicians as we are deemed more highly skilled and artistic and produce quality dental prosthetics. We are in-demand in countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and many others that are satisfied and proud with the competence of Filipino dental technicians.

8. What are the related occupations of dental technology?

Dental laboratory technicians manufacture artificial teeth, crowns and bridges, and orthodontic appliances, following specifications and instructions provided by dentists. Other workers who make and repair medical devices include dispensing opticians, ophthalmic laboratory technicians, orthodontists and prosthetists and precision instrument and equipment repairers.

9. What are the advantages of having a career dental technology?

1. States set no minimum qualification for persons to be employed as dental technicians.
2. Certified dental technicians (CDT) option is available for those interested in distinguishing themselves in the profession.
3. The standards and requirements for certification do not vary across state lines and certification is universally endorsed.
4. Since most dentists utilize laboratory services, employment and career opportunities in this field are excellent and in demand.
5. Dental technology is an excellent field for persons who dream of owning their own business.
6. The dental technician can choose from a variety of practice types, based on personal interest. E.g., commercial dental labs (small or big), private practice labs, military, government or private hospitals.
7. Dental laboratory technology offers tremendous work schedule flexibility between full or part-time positions.
8. Generally, the schedule for dental laboratory technology is fairly flexible.
9. Dental technology presents equal career opportunities for women and men and minorities.
   

10. What are the preparations and requirements of the course?

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

Dental Laboratory Technology Education

1. Dental technicians can begin their careers without a college degree; however, a formal college-level education is strongly encouraged.
2. Most dental laboratory technicians receive their education and training through a two-year program at a community college, vocational school, technical college or dental school. There is evidence that dental technicians that have completed a formal training program will advance more rapidly in the field, resulting in higher lifetime earnings.
3. In the U.S. there are approximately 10 two-year programs in Dental laboratory technology. 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 paid to a trainee, but should be able to progress far more rapidly to professional-level skills.
4. Technicians who have at least five years of education and experience in dental technology may wish to distinguish themselves by taking the examinations to become Certified Dental Technicians (CDTs). To qualify for certification, technicians must have a two-year dental technology degree (or the equivalent) and must pass written and practical examinations. To maintain certification, they must document at least ten hours of continuing education annually, including study of infection control.
5. New materials, techniques and equipment are regularly introduced to dental technology, and it is essential that dental technicians maintain state-of-the-art information and skills through frequent attendance at continuing education (CE) programs offered throughout the country.
   

11. What is the future trend?

Because many people are completely unaware of dental technology, this career has not historically attracted large numbers of new entries into the field. But as restorative dentistry becomes more sophisticated and the demand for dental services continues to grow, the dental profession is seeking more highly skilled dental technicians to provide the services and products they require. At the same time, the US military services -- once the largest single source of dental technology training - are training fewer technicians, and dental schools are teaching a decreasing amount of dental technology to dental students, who in turn make them more dependent upon the skills and knowledge of the dental technician.