| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Allied Health |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Dental Surgeon |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 5 years in a dental laboratory |
Dental Technician job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Dental Technician
Department: Allied Health
Reports to: Dental Surgeon
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Dental Technician makes and repairs dental appliances in the dental laboratory from the impressions and prescriptions a dentist sends. They cast models, and fabricate crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontic appliances to fit the patient. The role reports to the Dental Surgeon or lab in-charge. A good dental technician produces well fitting, good looking appliances on time, follows the prescription and shade exactly, and keeps the lab clean and its infection control sound.
Key responsibilities
- Receive impressions and work orders from dentists and check the prescription, shade and due date.
- Pour and trim study and working models in dental stone from the impressions received.
- Fabricate crowns, bridges, partial and complete dentures to the prescription and bite.
- Wax up patterns, cast metal frameworks and finish and polish the appliance.
- Match tooth shade and shape so the appliance looks natural in the mouth.
- Make orthodontic appliances and retainers as prescribed by the orthodontist.
- Carry out repairs and relines on existing dentures and appliances.
- Disinfect incoming impressions and outgoing work and follow lab infection control.
- Maintain lab equipment such as the furnace, lathe and articulator in working order.
- Keep a record of each case, materials used and the delivery date.
Requirements
- Diploma or degree in Dental Mechanics or Dental Technology
- Certified dental technician course
- Hands-on lab training under a dentist
- 1 to 5 years in a dental laboratory
KRAs and KPIs for a Dental Technician
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Fit quality | Appliances fitting without major adjustment on at least 95 percent of cases each month |
| On-time delivery | Cases delivered by the promised date on at least 95 percent of work orders |
| Remakes | Remakes due to lab error held below the monthly target |
| Shade accuracy | Shade and shape matched to the prescription with no repeat complaint |
| Infection control | Impression and appliance disinfection done for every case with no lapse |
| Equipment upkeep | Lab equipment maintained with faults reported before breakdown |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Dental lathe and handpiece, Casting furnace, Articulator, Porcelain furnace, Shade guide.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Dental Technician, Dental Lab In-Charge, Ceramist
Interview questions for a Dental Technician
- How do you pour and trim a working model so the margins stay sharp?
- How do you match tooth shade so a crown blends with the natural teeth?
- What causes a poorly fitting denture and how do you avoid it?
- How do you disinfect an impression before you start work on it?
- How do you handle a rush case without dropping quality?
- Tell me about a difficult case you made and how you got the fit right.
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What does a dental technician do?
A dental technician makes and repairs dental appliances in the lab from the impressions and prescriptions a dentist sends. They pour models and fabricate crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontic appliances, match shade and shape, and finish and polish the work. They deliver well fitting appliances on time while following infection control.
What is the difference between a dental technician and a dentist?
A dentist examines and treats patients directly, takes impressions and fits appliances in the mouth. A dental technician works in the lab, making the crowns, bridges and dentures the dentist prescribes. The dentist deals with the patient and the clinical work, while the technician crafts the appliance from models and prescriptions.
What qualifications do you need to be a dental technician?
Most dental technicians hold a diploma or degree in dental mechanics or dental technology and train hands on in a lab. Employers look for skill in crown, bridge and denture work, wax patterns and casting, accurate shade matching, and good manual dexterity. Careful infection control of impressions and appliances is essential.