For example, technicians who make porcelain and acrylic restorations are called dental ceramists. Dental Laboratory Technicians is in the Health Services Career Cluster. Good ability to visualize how a dental part should look based on a mold of the patients mouth Ability to coordinate the movement of eyes and hands, as when shaping a wax model Ability to make decisions and solve problems Ability to match colors, such as the colors of original teeth and replacement teeth Ability to move the hands skillfully, such as when applying porcelain to a dental fixture Ability to operate equipment, such as dental tools, with precision Ability to see details in objects, such as a bridge or crown Ability to understand and use words when talking or writing Ability to work with numbers Physical Demands Frequently need to see close objects clearly, such as when looking at a tooth Frequently need to judge the distance between objects Frequently use arms and hands to reach for and handle objects, such as dental tools Frequently use fingers to make fine movements Frequently sit for long periods of time Occasionally use fingers to feel the shape, size, or texture of an object Occasionally need to speak and listen to others Occasionally need to match or tell the difference between colors Work Setting Dental laboratory technicians work indoors. Most dental laboratory technicians work in clean, well lit, and well-ventilated areas. Most work in small laboratories.
Technicians usually have their own workbenches.
These are equipped with Bunsen burners and grinding and polishing machines. They also have hand tools such as wax spatulas and carvers. The work is very delicate and time consuming. Salaried technicians usually work 40 hours a week. They may work occasional overtime during emergencies.