Dental Technician

Introduction

Dental technicians make and repair crowns, bridges, false teeth and other dental appliances using impressions and prescriptions prepared by a dentist. They are skilled at working with plastics, metal alloys, ceramics and moulding techniques.

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Work Activities

Dental technicians make and repair crowns, bridges and other dental appliances using prescriptions and impressions taken by a dentist. They use a wide range of materials such as gold, porcelain and plastic. Dental technicians need to have a detailed knowledge of the make up and use of these materials, in order to design and make dental appliances.

Once qualified and experienced, dental technicians may specialise in orthodontics, conservation, prosthodontics or maxillo-facial work. Orthodontic appliances are made to correct irregularities in the position of teeth within the jaws, improve the patient's appearance and prevent problems later in life.

In conservation technology, materials such as ceramics are used to construct both crowns that restore natural teeth, and bridges to replace missing ones.

If a patient has lost several teeth in the same part of the mouth, the dentist may not be able to use a bridge and so dentures are prescribed. This specialism is known as prosthodontics and technicians working in this area must take great care to ensure that the dentures fit precisely and look attractive.

Technicians who specialise in maxillo-facial work are based in hospitals. Working under the direct supervision of a maxillo-facial surgeon, they design and make appliances that restore the faces of patients who have been badly injured, burnt or undergone major surgery.

The dental technician has to work to improve the patient's facial appearance and their ability to speak and eat.

Dental technicians may also manufacture splints that support the patient's jaw so that the surgeon is able to operate. The number of technicians employed in this aspect of the work is relatively small.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need a dental knowledge, technical and manual skills and artistic ability. You need to have the imagination to adapt techniques to tackle individual problems. Each dental problem is unique and can be approached in several different ways.

Good concentration is required. As well as hand tools, technicians use welding, grinding and polishing machines. These processes may generate dust, which could be a problem for you if you suffer with asthma.

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Pay and Opportunities

National Health Service (NHS) employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities. Salaries in commercial laboratories may vary.

In the NHS dental technicians are on Band 5 of Agenda for Change. From April 1, 2008 this has been £20,225 - £26,123 a year. Dental technician specialists and those with management responsibilities are on Band 6 and can earn up to £32,653 a year.

Working hours vary. In commercial laboratories, they are often 9:00 am - 5:30 pm. In hospitals, working hours can be irregular and include 'on call' nights and weekends. Overtime may be available.

Technicians work in commercial dental laboratories, in the NHS (in hospitals, general practice and in the community) and in the armed forces.

About 7,900 dental technicians are employed throughout the UK and there is a shortage of qualified technicians.

From July 2008 all dental technicians must register with the General Dental Council.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

• 23% of people in occupations such as dental technician work part-time.
• 8% have flexible hours.

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