Work Environment
Laboratory Dental Technicians always work in scrupulously clean environments, wearing goggles, masks and gloves to ensure protection and hygiene. Work hours are generally reasonably sociable hours. Laboratory Dental Technicians tend to work on a laboratory work bench and therefore require few interpersonal skills other than to be able to communicate effectively with colleagues and understand the specifications given to them.
Employment Opportunities
The market prospects for Laboratory Dental Technicians are excellent as the aging population increasingly seeks cosmetic solutions to dental problems. Laboratory Dental Technician opportunities include the possibility of advancement; a person might progress to become a Senior Technician in a private laboratory, which commands excellent remuneration.
How much does a Laboratory Dental Technician make - Laboratory Dental Technician Salary and Wages
Laboratory Dental Technician salary wages vary based on location and experience. Medical equipment/supply manufacturers and dentist offices employ the most people in this field, where workers average $16 per hour. Overtime or unsociable hours tend to be well remunerated, and many technicians prefer to work night shift hours for higher pay. Median per-hour wage based on years of experience breaks down as follows: 1-4 years, $10.12-$14.49 ($396.63 annual bonus); 5-9 years, $12.69-$17.26 ($500 annual bonus); 10-19 years, $14.68-$18.66 ($505 annual bonus); 20+ years, $16.82-22.35 ($600 annual bonus).
How to become a Laboratory Dental Technician
Education and Training
Laboratory Dental Technician qualifications at the entry level require the person to possess a high school diploma and to have studied woodwork and metalwork and the relevant science subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology. Laboratory Dental Technician courses can be concentrated and take some time to complete. A course through the Commission on Dental Accreditation is a good way to progress in this field. A Laboratory Dental Technician degree (associates level) is available for candidates who continue taking accreditation courses. Certification, which is usually voluntary, can be obtained in the areas of crowns and bridges and dentures and orthodontic appliances. At the top of the profession, a Registered Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician’s certification will propel a Laboratory Dental Technician into a higher salary bracket and guarantees work as long as people continue to break their teeth and lose them in old age.