Dental Laboratory Technicians
Did You Know:*
- Around 58 percent of jobs were in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, usually in small, privately owned businesses.
- Most technicians learn their craft on the job, but many employers prefer to hire those with formal training.
- Faster than average employment growth is expected for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians, while average employment growth is expected for medical appliance technicians.
- Job opportunities should be favorable because few people seek these positions.
Industry Areas
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing
- Offices of Dentists
- Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)
Day-to-Day Tasks*
- Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
- Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
Overall Kind of Work*
When patients require a medical device to help them see clearly, chew and speak well, or walk, their health care providers send requests to medical, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians. T...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory technicians generally work in clean, well-lighted and well-ventilated laboratories. They have limited contact with the public. Most salaried laboratory t...
Military
Dental and optical laboratory technicians normally work in dental or optical laboratories and occasionally in examination and dispensing offices.
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 7.81% (0-20 Hours)
- 8.15% (21-34 Hours)
- 14.10% (35-39 Hours)
- 60.95% (40 Hours)
- 5.31% (41-49 Hours)
- 3.68% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory technicians (51-9080)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: 
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 82.37% (Private For-Profit)
- 2.89% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 1.78% (State and Local Govt)
- 1.53% (Federal Government)
- 11.43% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Medical, Dental, And Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
406 Dental Laboratory Technicians in the military