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Dental Laboratory Technicians

Also called: Dental Technician, Dental Ceramist, Dental Laboratory Technician, Waxer

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Air Force or Navy.

What they do:
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
On the job, you would:
  • Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
  • Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
  • Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products
Engineering and Technology
  • design
  • mechanical
Business
  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence
  • Initiative

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Easy Solutions Easy Lab
  • Inventrix Labtrac
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Accounting software
  • Bookkeeping software
  • Intuit QuickBooks software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$35,590
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about dental laboratory technicians.