What is a Dental Lab Tech?
I’m currently on the waitlist for the dental hygienist program and am looking to get a job in a dental office to see what it’s like.. there’s a job opening I’m interested in for a part-time Dental Lab Tech (the modeling department). But what exactly are the job duties for this position.. any ideas???
Thanks!
I am currently going to college for a dental assistant and I know a lab tech makes the permanent Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Die casts for models etc..etc.
For general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search ‘medical, dental and ophthalmic technicians’ or such.
Other info: http://www.ada.org and can click ‘careers in dentistry’ or such.
This is the pdf file from the Department of Labor that gives the description of duties for a lab tech as medical and opthalmic. It includes an average salary breakdown by hour, etc. It should also have job outlook ….
http://www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos238.pdf
A dental laboratory technician who works in the modeling department of a lab usually cleans disinfects impressions (that are sent from dentist office), pours impressions with stone to make models, If the model is for a crown or bridge the technician separates the model with a saw (or other device) trims the die (the tooth that the doctor has prepped to receive crown, etc.) and then they paint the (stone) tooth that they have trimmed. This is a prep stage that has to be done before a crown, bridge, veneer or other restoration can be made. There my be a couple of steps that I omitted but that is the jist of the job duties that a person might do in the modeling department of a dental laboratory. Hygiene is a different entity all together they are responsible for daily dental office duties cleanings and seeing patients on a regular basis. Lab tech are the ones behind the scene unless the dentist has them come in regularly to assist with shade taking,etc. If you are interested in working directly working with the dentist a dental assistant position might be more of what you are looking for. If you are just looking to experience all aspects of dentistry then working in a dental laboratory is a great way of learning the field from our point of view. Good luck in your pursuit in your job search.