What does a dental technician do? How to become a specialist in this field?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Dentists have been in demand by human society since ancient times. With the development of science, technology and the emergence of new materials, this profession began to include a number of specializations. So, modern dentistry consists of such areas as therapy, surgery, prosthetics, etc. Recently, dental technicians are becoming more and more in demand. We will talk about what such specialists do today.

Who is a dental technician?

Answering this question in general terms, we can say that this specialist is engaged in the manufacture of dentures at the laboratory stages. The dental technician works in close cooperation with the general dentist, the prosthodontist who takes the impressions of the teeth and installs the prostheses or implants, as well as the patient himself. If at first glance it seems that there is nothing complicated in this matter, then upon closer examination it turns out that the entire success of prosthetics depends on the skill and professionalism of this specialist. Recently, there has been a rapid development of dental technology, methods of prosthetics, as well as materials. Thanks to this, the profession of "dent altechnician" is more than relevant, and therefore well paid. In addition, this specialization has a social significance, returning patients to he alth and self-confidence.

What exactly do the representatives of the profession do?

Because a dental technician is a person involved in the manufacture and repair of dentures, implants, maxillofacial and orthodontic appliances, his duties include a wide range of jobs. Among them are the following:

- making a model of a patient's tooth based on a cast made by an orthodontist;

- choice of material and design for a future prosthesis or implant;

- modeling (first from wax, and then from metal or cermet);

- making a tooth model;

- creation of both removable and non-removable, as well as clasp prostheses, implants;

- manufacture of orthodontic and maxillofacial appliances;

- finishing and repairing dentures.

What qualities should a specialist in this field have?

For a dental technician, as well as for other specialists in various fields, there is a list of professionally significant criteria that he must meet. Here are the main ones:

- highly developed motor skills of fingers and hands;

- high level of hand-eye coordination;

- having a good eye;

- the ability to clearly distinguish colors and their smallest shades;

- presence of aesthetictaste;

- the presence of visual-figurative thinking and spatial imagination;

- precision and accuracy;

- propensity for manual labor;

- perseverance.

When it is not possible to become a dental technician

There are a number of medical contraindications for this profession:

- complete hearing loss;

- partial hearing loss, accompanied by severe underdevelopment of speech;

- traumatic brain injury;

- the presence of chronic infectious diseases;

- diseases or injuries of the hands;

- dermatitis and other skin ailments;

- severe speech disorders;

- nervous and mental diseases;

- incoordination of fingers and hands, tremor;

- mental and behavioral disorders;

- epilepsy;

- mental retardation;

- Visual impairment.

Dental technician training

If you decide to devote yourself to this profession, then proper education can be obtained in secondary specialized medical educational institutions (colleges). In addition, you can learn to become a dental technician at specialized educational medical centers and advanced training courses.

Salary and prospects

Each dental technician develops a career depending on the direction he chooses and the development of new methods of work, as well as,of course, from his ambitions and aspirations. A young specialist every day improves his skills more and more, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge.

After reaching a certain level of professionalism, you can go to advanced training and receive a certificate as an orthodontist. Or, as an option, master management skills and become a leading specialist. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can open your own business. Of course, it will not be easy, but your favorite activity can bring a considerable income.

For many young people who want to try themselves in the profession of "dental technician", salary plays an important role. Therefore, we note that, on average, specialists in this field can count on income from 30 to 80 thousand rubles per month. As for the demand, due to the ever-increasing interest in specialists in this field, there should be no problems with getting a job.