Dental Laboratory Technician job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is a Dental Laboratory Technician?
A dental laboratory technician's job is to prepare dentures, crowns, and other prosthetic devices.
They do this by working with models of teeth made from plaster casts or plasticine to make precise impressions of the dentist’s equipment. Some technicians work primarily with dentures, while others work with crowns and bridges.
Lab technicians use a variety of materials to create prosthetic devices.
Some common materials are acrylic, gold alloys, nickel-titanium, and metal alloys for crowns; porcelain or ceramic for bridgework; vinyl polysiloxane impression material (also called pink rubber), dentures, and cast wax.
Lab techs work with these materials to make a denture, crown, or bridge.
The top Dental Laboratory Technician skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
We are looking to hire a highly capable Dental Laboratory Technician to join our growing team. Your duties will include the construction of dental prosthetics and devices, filling those orders, and preparing wax replicas. Our ideal candidate is someone with previous experience in creating high-quality dental prosthetics and devices.
To ensure success in this position, you should have extensive knowledge of all dental technologies and use your expertise while creating a safe and pleasing environment as well as high-quality products and services.
Duties and responsibilities
- Polishing dental prostheses and dental devices
- Keeping up to date with new dental technologies and advancements in the field
- Constructing prostheses and devices for clients by replacing wax with adequate dental materials
- Mould prostheses by encasing wax replicas of impressions
- Making adjustments and color corrections for prosthetic teeth
- Managing inventory and performing equipment maintenance
- Replacing natural teeth by fabricating removable bridges and prosthetic teeth
- Restoring teeth by fabricating crowns and dental implants
- Assembling crowns and bridges, which fit into gaps left by missing teeth.
- Modifying dentures to make them more comfortable for patients.
- Collecting data on patient outcomes to help with decision-making within their practice
Requirements
- Good time management skills
- Degree in Dental Technology or similar area of study
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Proficiency in keeping detailed records and meeting deadlines
- Excellent attention to detail
- Technical knowledge of dental procedures and equipment
- Written and verbal communication skills
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Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
What education this role needs.
High School Diploma or Equivalent
A high school diploma or GED equivalent is typically the minimum educational requirement for becoming a dental laboratory technician. This provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for further training in the field.
Postsecondary Education or Training Program
Many dental laboratory technicians complete a postsecondary education or training program in dental technology, which may be offered by community colleges, vocational schools, or dental schools. These programs provide hands-on training in dental laboratory techniques and procedures.
Certification or Licensure
While certification or licensure requirements vary by state, some states may require dental laboratory technicians to be certified or licensed. Certification is often available through organizations such as the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC). Obtaining certification demonstrates competency in the field and may enhance job prospects.
Sample interview questions for a Dental Laboratory Technician.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- Why should we hire you in this position?
- What is your five-year plan?
- Why are you passionate about this position?
- How would your colleagues describe you?
- Have you ever received criticism on your work, how did you handle it?
- How would you react if you had a disagreement with a coworker?
- How do you organize and plan your work?
- What are the different methods you use when determining a design for a dental product?
- How do you build shaped wax teeth?
- Have you ever prepared a metal surface for bonding with porcelain to create an artificial tooth?
- Are you familiar with all the dental equipment?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $14 at the 10th percentile to $33 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Prosthodontist
Medical Assistants
Frequently asked questions.
What does a dental laboratory technician do?
Dental laboratory technicians create dental prosthetics and appliances, such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic devices, based on specifications provided by dentists.
They use various materials and tools to fabricate these devices to restore or enhance patients' oral health.
What qualifications are required to become a dental laboratory technician?
Typically, a high school diploma or GED equivalent is required, along with completion of a postsecondary education or training program in dental technology.
Some states may also require certification or licensure.
What skills are important for a dental laboratory technician?
Dental laboratory technicians should have strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, and artistic ability to create precise and aesthetically pleasing dental prosthetics.
They also need good hand-eye coordination and the ability to work with various dental materials and tools.
What are the career prospects for dental laboratory technicians?
Dental laboratory technicians can find employment in dental laboratories, dental offices, and manufacturing companies that produce dental prosthetics.
With experience and additional training, they may advance to supervisory roles or specialize in specific areas of dental technology.
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