| If you've been considering a career in a field | | | | may work include: dental offices, hospitals, dental |
| related to dentistry the role of a dental technician | | | | schools, or in private practice. |
| may be a great place to start. This growing field | | | | The average salary range for a dental technician |
| has a great job outlook, and increasing salaries, | | | | is $35,545 to $55,856 per year. The highest |
| across the country. Best of all, you can train to | | | | salaries were reported by experienced technicians |
| become a dental technician in less than a year. In | | | | who operate private practices. The self employed |
| many cases you will find employment before your | | | | technician may earn over $60,000 per year. |
| training is even complete. | | | | In California the outlook for this career is great at |
| In California the outlook for this field is very good. | | | | the moment. Cosmetic dentistry is growing at an |
| Whether you're just out of high school and looking | | | | unprecedented rate. Along with that growth the |
| for a place to start, or just need a change, a | | | | demand for qualified dental technicians is growing |
| career as a dental technician may be for you. | | | | as well. If you're starting your career in California, |
| What is a Dental Technician? | | | | you can expect a higher starting salary, and wider |
| A dental technician, often referred to as a dental | | | | range of choice in companies to work for. |
| laboratory tech, is responsible for making a | | | | How Do I Get Started? |
| variety of dental devices. These devices may | | | | For a career as a dental technician there are a |
| range from tooth veneers, which are used to | | | | couple of ways to get started. |
| resurface teeth, to orthodontic appliances, or | | | | You could attend a college or university to get |
| even dentures. Most dental technicians work in a | | | | accredited in a one to two year program. This is |
| laboratory. | | | | the more traditional route to earn accreditation in |
| When a dentist places an order with the lab, it is | | | | the field, but it is also the slowest. A faster route |
| the technician's job to fill the order. These | | | | would be to attend a technical school, or a private |
| ordersgenerally come with detailed instructions | | | | college. |
| and molds of the patients teeth. The dental | | | | In California in particular, many of these schools |
| technician's then produces the requested dental | | | | offer fast track programs which include a work |
| appliance. To accomplish this they use | | | | experience component. The private schools usually |
| sophisticated equipment, and a variety of work | | | | offer job placement as well, and will have standing |
| materials. | | | | relationships with employers to help you get the |
| What Can I Expect In My New Career? | | | | right start. |
| When you choose a career as a dental technician, | | | | If you're looking for a new career, a job as a |
| there are actually a few places where you may | | | | dental technician is definitely worth a look. With |
| find work. Most dental technicians work in | | | | the growth in cosmetic dentistry, in the past |
| laboratories that employ between 2 and 200 | | | | decade, this field if growing at an exponential rate. |
| people. Each person in the lab may be responsible | | | | You will likely have a job before you have finished |
| for a specific portion of the manufacturing | | | | your training, and if you started training tomorrow |
| process, or they may work individually to make | | | | you could be in the workforce in less than 6 |
| entire appliances. Other places where a technician | | | | months. |