Career in Dental Technician: Most of us have heard of Dental courses or Dentistry and might be aware of its scope, but not about Dental Technology and Dental technicians. These two terms are mutually interdependent, like doctors need patients and patients need a doctor.
Have you ever been to a dentist before and wondered who made all those dental devices used in different treatments? If your answer is yes and it interests you, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will discuss Dental mechanics and some dental assistant courses offered by different Dental technician training institutes in India.
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What is Dental Technology?
Dental technicians (or dental technologists as often referred to) make the dentures, crowns, bridges and braces that improve a patient’s appearance, speech and ability to chew.
Dental Technology is centred on the technical side of dentistry and is defined by the construction of safe and effective custom-made restoratives and dental devices. A Dental Technologist or a Dental Technician, as referred by most people, is the one who practices Dental Technology and constructs Dental prostheses and appliances upon prescriptions from a dentist.
Dental Technicians use various materials and Dental mechanics to fabricate teeth or prostheses with the appropriate form and colour. Hence, Dental Technology is considered an art since it requires some artistic skills to work in the Dental lab.
Some of the significant dental assistant training disciplines are mentioned in the table below:
| Fixed Prosthesis | Construction of Crowns, Bridges, and Implants. |
| Removable Prosthesis | Consists of Dentures and Removable Partial Dentures. |
| Maxillofacial Prosthesis | Making of artificial eyes, ears, and facial prostheses. |
| Orthodontics and Auxiliaries | Includes Orthodontic appliances and Mouthguards. |
What is it like to be a Dental Technician?
The work of a Dental Technician is usually inside a Dental Technical Laboratory. Once you are confident enough to work as an individual, you can run your dental laboratory. You can grab a teaching position at colleges offering Dental technician courses and research part-time or work under military service. Usually, it will take around 3-4 years to become an expert in Dental Technology and start practising on your own. The salary range may vary by your experience and skill set.
How to become a Dental Technician?
Many people ask about dental technician course eligibility and how to become a Dental Technician. To start a Dental Technician career, one must earn a Dental technology degree, a certificate in dental technology or a diploma in Dental Technology. The minimum education required to become a Dental Technologist is 10th, a high school diploma or equivalent. The course consists of both classroom and hands-on clinical training at the laboratory.
An excellent Dental Technician must be creative and have better eye-hand coordination for fast actions. Since they need contact with chemicals, dental lasers, and various equipment, utmost care and skills are necessary.
Dental Technician Course
To work as a Dental Technician, one can earn a degree in the following dental technician course which is listed below:
| S.No | Course | Duration | Eligibility |
| 1 | Diploma in Dental Technician (D.D.T) | Three years | 10+2 |
| 2 | Bachelor of Dental Technology (B.D.Tech) | Two years | High School (10+2) |
| 3 | Master of Dental Technology (M.D.Tech) | 2 years | Graduation/BDenTech |
| 4 | Certificate course in Dental Technology | 6-12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
Scope in Dental Technology
The future of Dentistry worldwide is vast, and the demand for dental technologies is on the rise. In the earlier years, dental devices were just for doing purposes, no matter how long it took to complete an operation and how accurate it was. But this approach has changed, and the world is looking for faster and more precise dental dentures and replacements.
Nowadays, there are plenty of job opportunities in this field because of the increase in the number of clinical laborites and dental colleges worldwide. The dentist-dental technician relationship is another factor that ensures a great future in this career. New technologies are being made and advanced every day, making a dentist’s life more comfortable.
Some of the leading institutes offering technician courses in India are listed below.
- All India Institute of Public and Physical Health Science, Delhi
- Cochin Institute of Dental Technology, Kerala
- S Institute of Paramedical Science, Uttar Pradesh
- Rajiv Gandhi Paramedical Institute, Delhi
- Central Institute of Dental Technology, Kerala
- Takur Polytechnic, Mumbai
- Mahatma Gandhi Missionís College, Navi Mumbai
Need for Dental Technologists
Due to constant advances, dental technology is a rapidly changing field. With increased knowledge about the importance of practising good oral hygiene and consistent improvements in treatment options, people are keeping their teeth longer than ever before. One would think that would decrease the need for as many dental technologists. Still, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, only 48 per cent of adults ages 20 to 64 retain all their teeth.
That leaves a large percentage of the population that still needs dental technicians’ expertise for teeth replacement, and anyone who holds onto their teeth may still need crowns or orthodontics. Now you have a good idea who makes the incredible devices that help maintain the health of your mouth. By practising good oral hygiene, you can avoid the need for most of a dental technologist’s creations. Still, if you do need them for one reason or another – it’s good to know they come from well-trained, certified professionals who work closely with your dentist to fulfil your needs. Whatever a dental technologist makes for your mouth’s look, function, and health, we hope it makes you smile.
Salary
The average salary for a dental technician in India can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Experience: Dental technicians with more experience typically earn more than those with less experience.
- Location: Salaries for dental technicians tend to be higher in larger cities and metropolitan areas compared to smaller towns and rural areas.
- Employer: Dental technicians working in private clinics or hospitals may earn more than those working in dental laboratories.
- Specialization: Dental technicians who specialize in a particular area, such as crown and bridgework or dentures, may command higher salaries.
Based on my research, here’s a range of what you can expect to earn as a dental technician in India:
- Payscale: ₹305,000 to ₹1,000,000 per year (with a median of ₹594,000)
- 6figr: ₹20,00,000 per year (based on limited data)
- SalaryExpert: Equivalent to an hourly rate of ₹264
Roles and Responsibilities
As a dental technician, you’ll need to:
- Undertake all aspects of prosthetic work, including making bites, castings, and mouthguards.
- Construct partial or complete dentures (metal and non-metal) to replace the partial or total loss of teeth.
- Create accurate models of the mouth and teeth from impressions of the patient’s mouth taken by the dentist.
- Use various dental techniques for restorative work, including diagnostic wax-ups, Smile Design cases, dental composite work and IPS e.max Press restorations
- restore natural teeth by fabricating crowns, veneers and bridges or creating dental implants
- correct dental irregularities by manufacturing fixed or removable appliances, such as dentures, braces and retainers
- replace missing facial and body tissues due to injury, disease or developmental abnormality by fabricating maxillofacial prostheses
- use traditional methods and increasingly CAD/CAM for designing dental devices
- maintain dental laboratory records and prepare reports on laboratory activities
- update your dental laboratory knowledge and skills by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks and joining professional organisations.
Skills of Dental Technician
- manual dexterity
- ability to carry out fine, accurate work
- attention to detail and the ability to concentrate for long periods
- design skills and knowledge to copy shapes
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- the ability to work well with others
- thinking and reasoning skills
- written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to work well under pressure and time constraints.
