Dental Laboratory Technicians

Career Description: Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Dental Laboratory Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Read prescriptions or specifications, and examine models and impressions, to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
• Fabricate, alter, and repair dental devices such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, and appliances for straightening teeth.
• Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
• Place tooth models on apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
• Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes, and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatus.
• Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
• Remove excess metal or porcelain, and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
• Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
• Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.
• Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.
• Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
• Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.
• Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays for use.
• Mold wax over denture set-ups to form the full contours of artificial gums.
• Train and supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
• Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, and missing teeth to repair dentures.
• Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.
• Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
• Lubricate workpieces with oil.
• Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.
• Mark identifying data on workpieces.
• Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, and table angles for specified operations.
• Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials.
• Hand-form, cut, or finish workpieces, using tools such as table saws, hand sledges, and anvils.
• Grind out burrs and sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, and polishing jacks.
• Sharpen dulled blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes.
• Remove housings, feed tubes, tool holders, and other accessories in order to replace worn or broken parts such as springs and bushings.
• Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks.
• Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, and cutters on arbors.
• Preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches.

Emerging Tasks

• Clean work area.
• Operate forklifts to deliver materials.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• cast metal objects
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• interpret prescriptions
• make independent judgment in assembly procedures
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• read specifications
• solder metal parts or components together
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• plan or organize work
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of metals
• set up computer numerical control machines
• set up production equipment or machinery
• understand machine setup instructions
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• work as a team member
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• test mechanical products or equipment
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use basic plumbing techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use pneumatic tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use spot or tack welding techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$16.10
• Average annual wage (2007) - $33,480.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 3.66%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 1,954
• Employment (2006): 53,439

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