To become a dental technician, complete training, gain hands-on experience, pass certification exams, and provide professional references. Dental technicians create customized bridges, crowns, and dentures. Most employers prefer trained candidates with excellent manual dexterity and attention to detail. Apply for positions by submitting resumes and prepare for interviews by dressing professionally and researching the company. Have a list of professional references available.
There are four steps to qualifying for a dental technician job: training, hands-on experience, interview, and recommendations. These items must be completed before you are a successful candidate for a dental technician job. Dental technicians work in specialized laboratories affiliated with local dental practices.
A dental technician is also known as a dental lab technician. A dental technician’s responsibility is to create bridges, crowns and dentures. These items are customized for each client and are based on frames and instructions provided by the dentist. There are some dental technician jobs that don’t require post-secondary education, but the vast majority of employers prefer to hire trained candidates.
Two-year programs are available at career and community colleges. They provide a combination of theoretical and practical experience to ensure that you are able to obtain a dental technician job. There are also programs available at the university level that take four years to complete and offer a bachelor’s degree upon completion. Programs with a hands-on component are a real advantage when looking for a dental technician job.
Certification as a dental technician is available from the National Board of Certification, which is managed by the National Association of Dental Laboratories. This additional qualification is available to technicians who have a combination of theoretical and practical experience. All candidates must pass a written and practical exam to earn certification. Hands-on experience can be gained through job opportunities or part-time employment. The skills needed for this position are excellent manual dexterity, the ability to distinguish color variations and attention to detail.
Apply for positions as a dental technician by submitting your resume in response to job postings. Many colleges offer a career center that specializes in resume assistance and successful interviewing sessions. Take advantage of these opportunities to increase your chance of success.
The company will contact you to request an interview before making any job offers. Arrive at least five minutes early for the interview and be prepared. Dress professionally and review your resume ahead of time. During the interview process, answer all questions as clearly as possible and prepare at least three questions for the interviewer. These questions should be about the company itself, customers and business practices.
Have a list of professional references available to provide potential employers. These references can be instructors, past employers, and other people who have worked with you. Avoid using friends or family as references.
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