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Dental Laboratory Technician Career Interview
Mark Jackson is the current vice president and co-owner of Precision Ceramics CT Scanning and Implant Planning Center, which is a company that develops products for dental lab technicians.
He has lectured internationally on dental technology, had his lab featured on MTV, and appeared in two issues of The Wall Street Journal.
Dental Laboratory Technician Career Path
Mark, like many others, found himself in this field before he even knew what hit him.
“I grew up next door to a dentist,” he says. “I did not have any clear career path and he encouraged me to look into attending a trade school for dental technicians.”
Mark started going to a trade school only to find out that graduates started out earning the same salary as a non-graduate during that time. He instead found a trainee position and went from there.
Dental Laboratory Technician Experiences
After working in menial labor jobs through high school, Mark knew that he wanted a desk job. He found his calling as a dental lab technician.
During his training, Mark became experienced with the various aspects of the job. “I worked in every department of a large lab,” he explains, “and then as an in-house technician for a dental office. I learned to understand the practical production side of medical device manufacturing and also the intricacies of clinical dentistry and patient contact.”
Dental Laboratory Technician Degree Programs
Although Mark followed a path that didn’t include a full education at a trade school, there are many different dental lab technicians programs that are offered throughout the country.
“Several junior colleges offer programs, and there are also established, ADA-accredited trade schools,” says Mark. “Avoid schools that have short six-month programs designed as occupational rehabilitation. These programs are usually not adequate for even an entry-level job.”
Above all, Mark suggests finding out more about the environment of the field.
“Make an appointment to visit and tour a lab, and talk to the owner or manager about your desire to enter the field.” This way, you can get an entry-level job to get your foot in the door.
Dental Laboratory Technician Job Description
Mark is the vice president and co-owner of Precision Ceramics CT Scanning and Implant Planning Center in Montclair, California.
Dental Laboratory Technician Daily Routine
“Dental technicians work at the direction of a dentist, usually via a written work order or prescription sheet,” Mark explains. “Some technicians work with their hands, mixing, pouring and grinding metal, ceramics, and plaster, or working to sculpt wax and plastic.
“Other technicians use sophisticated laser scanners, computers and CNC milling machines,” he adds.
Dental Laboratory Technician: Steps to Success
The most important trait for a dental technician to have is attention to detail. According to Mark, a successful dental lab technician also has “patience in working with small parts to exact specifications; an interest in science, chemistry, and mechanical devices; and ability to work under pressure.”
Because of the various work with metal, ceramics, and plaster that a dental technician must do, a familiarity with crafts or sculpting is important, in addition to a knack for shape and color. Dental technicians must also be good with computers.
Dental Laboratory Technician Job Opportunities
An entry-level dental technician job requires little experience, but it also is low-paid. However, once you stick with it and keep gaining more experience, the benefits of the field grow.
“Once your knowledge base begins to develop and if you keep an eye on your productivity,” says Mark, “you can make a very good living in a field that is very rewarding.”
Dental Laboratory Technician Favorite Aspect
“Dental technology is a mixture of art and science,” Mark explains. “You can enjoy the creativity that comes with the artistic side of the work, yet embrace the discipline and order of the science behind what you do, both in choosing the materials for a particular project or the methods used in manufacturing.”
Mark adds, “Problem solving, light manufacturing and producing a product that can change a person’s quality of life is very rewarding.”
Dental Lab Technician’s Future Ambitions
Mark hopes to be doing what he’s doing right now well into the future.
Advice for Prospective Dental Laboratory Technicians
Above all, Mark stresses that you must love what you do before trying to make a career out of it.
“Dental technology is developing rapidly in terms of new technology,” he says. “There is a growing need for dental technicians with clinical skills to work with dentists or directly with patients.”
In order to find out which area of the field you are passionate about, Mark suggests finding out as much as you can about every aspect of the field; building your knowledge and skill will allow you to advance much further.
“Never lose your hunger to learn new things and you won’t have to constantly catch up with technology,” Mark adds.
