Occupational Description
Dental Laboratory Technicians assist the Dentists in various laboratory works. They make dental prostheses or replacements for natural teeth, including dentures, bridges, crowns, and other dental prosthetics. The characteristics of the qualified dental laboratory technician include skills in using small hand instruments, finger dexterity, attentiveness to details, good eyesight and color perception, ability to follow specifications, and artistic ability.

Employment Characteristics
Most of the Dental Laboratory Technicians work in commercial laboratories. In addition, some dentists employ dental technicians in their private dental offices. Other employment opportunities include dental schools, hospitals, the military, and companies that manufacture dental prosthetic materials.

Employment Outlook
Since most dentists use laboratory services, employment opportunities in this field are excellent. Owing to the success of the preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, senior citizens - a growing population - will retain their teeth longer and will require more sophisticated prostheses for longer periods, thus increasing the demand for dental laboratory services.