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- Creative and practical role making unique dental appliances to improve people's lives
- Problem-solving, creative and 'making' skills required
- Highly skilled and essential profession
As a Dental technician you'll usually work in a commercial dental lab. You could also work in a community or hospital dental service or the armed forces.
You could specialise in: Orthodontics - creating plastic or metal devices, such as braces to straighten teeth, crown and bridge work - making items to cement in place, prosthetics - producing plastic dentures or implants. You'll work with materials like porcelain, gold and plastic, and use the latest techniques and tools. In a private dental lab, you'll work for a range of dental practices. In a hospital, you'll work with dental and oral surgeons, and patients.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
You could specialise in :
- Orthodontics - creating plastic or metal devices, such as braces to straighten teeth
- Crown and bridge work - making items to cement in place
- Prosthetics - producing plastic dentures or implants
Day-to-day duties may include:
- Working with materials like porcelain, gold and plastic
- Using the latest techniques and tools
In a private dental lab, you'll work for a range of dental practices. In a hospital, you'll work with dental and oral surgeons, and patients
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
As a dental technician you'll usually work in a commercial dental lab. You could also work in a community or hospital dental service or the armed forces. You'll could work alone or as part of a team.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with, the ability to understand technical instructions, practical skills and a steady hand, creative skills, and the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
You could do a foundation degree or degree in dental technology approved by the General Dental Council. You're likely to need a degree qualification to do advanced dental technology work.
You can also do a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Technology, approved by the General Dental Council or you could do a higher apprenticeship as a dental technician.
You can work as a trainee dental technician with a practice and study part-time. This could take up to 5 years, depending on which qualification you do.
You'll need to register with the GDC and you could join The Dental Technologists Association, for professional development and training opportunities.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you could set up your own laboratory, or work abroad. In a commercial lab, you could become a senior or chief technician. Or you could move into quality control, sales or management. You could also become a teacher.
Progression opportunities include training as a healthcare scientist, specialising in reconstructive sciences, like maxillo-facial prosthetics through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).