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	Dental Laboratory Technicians

	Page Down		Job Description: Dental Laboratory Technicians use small hand tools and instruments to build and repair dental appliances such as crowns, bridges and dentures according to a dentist's written instructions. Technician duties vary widely depending upon the type of laboratory or specialty work. In some laboratories the technician performs all stages of the work, while in other labs technicians may specialize in only a few steps. There are a number of specialty technician areas: crown and bridge technicians; denture technicians; orthodontic technicians, and ceramists who build porcelain crowns. Some of the more common Dental Laboratory Technician duties are as follows: constructs or repairs dentures, retainers, or metal bands; casts plastic, plaster, and metal framework; and removes mold from frame; melts metals, mixes plaster to pour material into molds to form dental appliances; and carves, grinds, and polishes dental appliances, using pliers, spatula, grinders, and polishes.

Wages - Statewide:

To give you an idea of how much you might earn, we have given you the average hourly wages and average yearly wages for this career throughout California. Wages can vary greatly in different parts of the State.


	Hourly Average Wages:	$	40,558

	Yearly Average Wages:	$	40,558
Source: California Occupational Employment and Wage Data, 2008

Job Openings:

An average of 190 job openings will be available statewide per year. The number of openings includes both new jobs and replacement openings as workers leave the occupation.

Source: California Occupational Employment Projections 2004 - 2014

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	Basic Job Requirements: Completion of accredited Dental Laboratory Technician training program preferred Good eye and hand coordination and finger dexterity Good vision Attention to detail Artistic ability and color perception to recognize fine color shades and variations Page Down

	Where to get training locally: Dental Laboratory Technician training can be obtained through many community colleges, and technical or vocational schools. However, most technicians learn this work through informal on-the-job training. To find training programs in your area you can check the LaborMarketInfo Web site at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/traProvidersSelection.asp?menuChoice=traProviders. Or, you can go to a One-Stop Career Center for assistance. (See "One-Stop Career Centers" in the "How to Find a Job" section.)


	Possible Job Paths: Return to Health Care Job List

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