A dental technician (or dental mechanic) is an essential member of the dental team who is highly skilled in the design, construction, repair and adjustment of various dental appliances. They are non-registered professionals who work from a written prescription and direct communication with the dental prosthetist, dentist or specialist dentist. The combined expertise of the technician and practitioner is needed to ensure that quality outcomes are achieved for the patients.

The dental technician translates two-dimensional design diagrams and written instructions into three-dimensional products according to accepted biological and mechanical principles, and can specialise their work to one or more areas of dentistry:

• Restoring natural teeth (crowns, inlays/onlays, veneers);
• Replacing teeth (bridges, partial and full dentures, dental implant prosthesis);
• Replacing oral soft and hard structures (aesthetic reconstruction);
• Moving, retaining and protecting teeth (orthodontics: mouthguards, splints, trays, stents); and
• Aligning the jaw position (orthognathics: TMJ, sleep apnoea, etc.).

A dental technician career would be a good dentistry position for you if you like working with tools and equipment, can apply a high level of attention to detail and precision (accuracy), have good time management (efficient) and possess good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. In addition, if you have an artistic ability to construct form and design you could suit a dental technician career.

The dental technician’s role includes a variety of duties around the fabrication of fixed and removable dental appliances. They work closely with the practitioner and only have direct contact with the patient for the purpose of assessing an accurate colour shade for maximum aesthetics.
As part of dental laboratory services, a dental technician career in New South Wales may include:

• Receive and interpret written orders from a dental prosthetist or dentist;
• Make plaster and stone models of the mouth and teeth from impressions that have been taken by a dental prosthetist or dentist;
• Construct custom impression trays for the dental prosthetist or dentist to use;
• Build up wax replicas of part or all of the mouth and/or teeth on  model;
• Replicate the jaw positions using models on articulating equipment;
• Form, cut or mould plastic, metal or ceramic materials to make appliances using casting, CAD/CAM and thermoforming equipment;
• Use direct vision or specialised equipment to record tooth shades;
• Arrange artificial teeth for full or partial dentures;
• Use manual skills to construct ceramic restorations;
• Design and construct fixed and removable acrylic and metal orthodontic appliances
• Polish and finish all work prior to being placed in the patient's mouth; and
• Reline, repair or modify full or partial dentures.

Dental technicians use a high degree of technical ability, training and skills that involve diverse techniques including plaster casting, electro-spot welding, metal casting, metal polishing, wax modelling, ceramics, wire bending, electroplating and sandblasting. They are highly knowledgeable of the appropriate methods to construct a wide range of items and how to deal with the variety of materials.

Dental technicians are not registered by the Dental Board of Australia.

However, appliances are classified by the TGA as custom made medical devices, whether made locally or imported.

Visit tga.gov.au/custom-made-medical-devices for more information regarding the obligations imposed on suppliers or sponsors. Briefly, these devices must satisfy the required performance and standards, in particular the six principles in the regulations. These devices are also governed by provisions in the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

A dental technology profession offers exceptional dentistry career opportunities to work as technicians, educators, researchers, sales and marketing managers, inventors, editors and consultants in an array of flexible work schedules.

The majority of dental technicians work in commercial dental laboratories or self-employed as the owner of a dental laboratory. There is currently a strong demand for dental technicians in regional and rural locations in most states and territories of Australia.

Technician: Dental technicians can work in commercial dental laboratories, private dental laboratories in general and specialist dental practices, hospitals, public sector dental health services and the armed forces as well as independently as a laboratory owner. Dental technicians are able to concentrate their work to a particular area of dental technology including orthodontic/orthognathic, crown & bridge, cosmetics, general prostheses and implantology. Dental technicians will assist different local practitioners with some offering a postal service to work with dentists from a wide area. Advanced dental technology positions within a laboratory appointed on experience include Senior/Chief Technician and Quality Controller.

Educator: Dental technicians can use their skills and knowledge to teach some of the technical aspects of dentistry to students in all of the dental sciences in the TAFE and University programmes. This is a dental career avenue that can lead toward advanced degrees.

Researcher: Dental technicians have a significant role to play in formulating new perspectives in dental materials and their influence in the oral cavity and on the environment, as well as general principles of dental treatments, mouth physiology and hygiene. Research is a component of advanced degrees and can be conducted in the dental laboratory, hospital or training program.

Sales and Marketing Manager: Dental technicians can work as a technical advisor by product and service companies in the dental laboratory industry to lead product development and professional and public marketing campaigns. The work involves building customer relationships, identifying and presenting the market and the customer requirements as well as organising and participating in trade exhibitions.

Inventors: Dental technicians can develop, patent and produce innovative dental appliances and new production processes that offer ethical and quality outcomes in dentistry. Self-motivation and building upon experience towards continual improvement are the key elements in this role.

Editor: Dental technicians can apply their skills and knowledge to teach the dental profession about current issues, techniques and research. This position can involve a professional magazine, journal or textbook and requires writing skills, self-motivation, good organisational and time management skills (deadlines), attention to detail and creativity.

Consultant: Skilled dental technicians can choose to share their achievements with dental professionals on the speaker circuit to deliver educational lectures. Additionally, dental technicians can be employed by dental laboratory companies to create and deliver educational courses to healthcare professionals.

Statistics on the Australian labour market - dental hygienist, therapist, technician
 

Dental technology offers excellent career opportunities for the high school graduate and non-traditional student (i.e. an individual who is over 23 years of age, an individual seeking a career change or re-entry or an individual from a culturally diverse background).

To become a qualified dental technician and achieve a dental career, you need to gain a tertiary level qualification with the minimum standard being a two year Diploma in Dental Technology.

New South Wales offers a two-year full time Diploma course at the Sydney Institute, Randwick Campus.

• Randwick Institute of Technical and Further Education – TAFE Digital

Entry into this course is based on an application process. Visit TAFE Digital website for up to date information.
Your entry to the New South Wales diploma program is based on your collective education and training, including education and training undertaken in another country. Relevance of the course to your career plans and goals is also taken into consideration.

If you are a non-traditional student the selection criteria is open for recognition of skills and knowledge that you may have gained through previous studies, the workplace and life experiences. You may be entitled to gain recognition that will exempt you from attending one or more modules.

The Mutual Recognition Act of 1992 allows for dental technician graduates and registered dental technicians to apply for registration to practise their equivalent occupation in any state or territory in Australia as well as New Zealand (Trans Tasman Agreement).

• Take high school courses in health, biology, chemistry, mathematics, English, industrial arts and computers to HSC level.
• Apply for work experience in a dental laboratory
• Have good near-sighted and colour vision
• To perform independent detailed and precise work
• Have good interpersonal communication skills
• To give full attention to what others are saying
• To provide clear ideas and details
• Have good manual dexterity
• To quickly move your hands to grasp, manipulate and assemble objects
• Have a working knowledge of computers
• To design, calculate and process using advanced technological equipment
• Be able to prepare, understand and act on written materials (letters, reports, summaries)
• To analyse, plan, organise and problem solve
• Have good organisational and time management skills
• Enjoy working with others in a team environment
• Be interested in having an influence in the delivery of oral health care

There is a high demand for dental therapists in the public sector dental health services, especially in the rural and remote areas. Dental therapists have an opportunity to impact on the oral health and general health of current and future generations. Instilling the principles of healthy choices and habits in children fosters a shift towards a healthier outlook for the Australian population.

• Your school careers advisor
• Your local community dental clinic
• The Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association, NSW Branch, Inc.
• Email: nswdta@ADOHTA.net.au
• Dental therapist labour force in Australia, 2005. AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit
• The Australian Dental Association, Inc. (National) Policy Statement on Allied Dental Professionals in Australia
• Profile of the Dental Auxiliaries Workforce in NSW 2006 (dental therapists and dental hygienists)

Dental therapists can complete further education to advance their career within the dental workforce. Education and training institutions are facilitating expanded and post-graduate qualifications.

• Dental hygienist expanded qualification
  • Broadens knowledge and skills to provide preventive and therapeutic treatment to people of all ages.
  • Recognition of prior learning taken into account
  • Bridging courses offered:
    • The University of Newcastle; Ourimbah Campus 2 years full time study to complete years 2 and 3 of the Bachelor of Oral Health Degree. Visit Website
• Graduate Certificates
  • Part time course up to 3 years
  • Broadens individual skills already gained in undergraduate program
  • Curtin University (WA) offers non-clinical Graduate Certificates in areas of health promotion and public health Visit Website
• Graduate Diplomas
  • Typically 1 to 2 year full time course
  • Develop knowledge and skills in a related professional area
  • Clinical courses in dental therapy are not available in Australia at present
  • The University of New England offers a non-clinical Graduate Diploma in Health Management Visit Website
  • Curtin University (WA) offers non-clinical Graduate Diplomas in areas of health promotion and public health Visit Website
• Master of Science Degree (MS)
  • 1 to 2 year course
  • Acquiring in-depth understanding of a specific area of knowledge through research, coursework or a combination of both
  • Curtin University (WA) offers non-clinical master degrees in areas of health promotion and public health Visit Website
• Doctorate Degree (PhD)
  • Typically over 3 years
  • Self-directed research and coursework
  • Doctorate programs are in Dental Hygiene and related disciplines (ex: Community Health)
  • Programs in dental therapy are not available in Australia at present
  • Curtin University (WA) offers a non-clinical doctorate degree in public health
• BDS Degree (dentist)
  • 4 year course
  • Australian Dental Schools:
    • University of Sydney - Visit Website
    • University of Melbourne - Visit Website
    • University of Queensland - Visit Website
    • Griffith University (QLD) - Visit Website
    • University of Adelaide - Visit Website
    • University of Western Australia - Visit Website

Dental technicians are artistic individuals who have a thorough understanding of dental materials science and use their skills to fabricate the form, colour and function of individual teeth or aesthetic functional prostheses for a patient. Although there have been a number of technological advances in this field, it is still a craft oriented profession as all such appliances are made largely by hand to a practitioner’s prescription.

A dental technology career offers personal satisfaction in providing the technical side of dentistry and providing people with better dental health through a multi-disciplinary dental team environment.
 

• Oral Health Professionals Association Visit Website
• Randwick Institute of Technical and Further Education – TAFE NSW Sydney Institute Visit Website
• The Australian Dental Association, Inc. (National) Visit Website
• The Job Guide occupation information Visit Website
• Training.gov.au Visit website
• Health Training Package; (see HLT31812  Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT43012 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting)   Visit Website
• Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health Visit Website

• Your school careers advisor
• Head Teachers – Dental Studies, Sydney Institute (02 9469 8620 or 9469 8680)
• Your local dental laboratory or dental practice
• The Australian Dental Association, Inc. (National) Policy Statement on Allied Dental Professionals in Australia