Dental Technologists, Technicians and Laboratory Assistants

(NOC 3223)

in All Health

Dental technologists and technicians design, prepare, and make dentures and dental devices as prescribed by dentists and other specialists. Devices include full or partial dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants. Dental laboratory assistants help dental technologists and technicians prepare and make dentures and other dental devices. They work in dental laboratories. Dental technologists and technicians who are supervisors are included in this group.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Health

  • Estimate 3550 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 6335 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.50

Minimum

$23.46

Median

$36.04

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$48,349

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Health

Hourly Pay

$16.70

Minimum

$26.60

Median

$43.30

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,740

Minimum

$43,853

Median

$88,944

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Dental technologists and technicians design, prepare, and make dentures and dental devices as prescribed by dentists and other specialists. Devices include full or partial dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants. Dental laboratory assistants help dental technologists and technicians prepare and make dentures and other dental devices. They work in dental laboratories. Dental technologists and technicians who are supervisors are included in this group.

Job duties

Dental technologists, technicians, and laboratory assistants:

  • Design, make, or repair dental devices including full or partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants.
  • Prepare plaster models and moulds from dental impressions.
  • Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays.
  • Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases.
  • Pack plastic material in moulds to form full or partial dentures.
  • Mould wax over denture set-up to form full contours of artificial gums.
  • Make orthodontic bands from gold, silver, stainless steel, or other metals.
  • Finish metal framework of dentures and polish and buff dentures to obtain natural finish.
  • May consult with dentists or other specialists on problematic dental cases.
  • May train and supervise other dental technicians and dental laboratory assistants in fabricating dentures and other dental devices.
  • May perform administrative functions for the dental laboratory.

Sample job titles

  • dental laboratory assistant
  • dental laboratory bench worker
  • dental laboratory technician
  • dental technician
  • dental technician apprentice
  • dental technologist
  • orthodontic dental technician
  • registered dental technician
  • registered dental technologist

Skills

  • You should have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Patience and the ability to handle stressful situations may be needed. You must be efficient and accurate, yet sensitive to the needs of patients. Hand-eye coordination and an aptitude for detailed and precise work are necessary. Artistic ability may also be helpful.

Job requirements

  • Dental technologists and technicians require a college program in dental technology or four or more years of on-the-job training under the supervision of a registered dental technologist or technician.
  • To practice in the province of Nova Scotia you must be a member of the Nova Scotia Dental Technicians Association.
  • Dental laboratory assistants usually require high school and up to two years of on-the-job training.

Other considerations

  • Dental laboratory assistants may progress to dental technologist and technician positions with training, experience and registration.

By the numbers

Quick look

135

employed in 2016

92.9%

employed full-time

28.6%

self employed

57.1%
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42.9%
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48.5

median age

Compared to: All Health

36,515

employed in 2016

75.7%

employed full-time

9.6%

self employed

83.6%
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16.4%
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43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

92.3%

Halifax

$48,365 median annual income
7.7%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

44.4%

Health care and social assistance

37.0%

Manufacturing

11.1%

Educational services

7.4%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

41.0%

45-54

24.0%

55-64

21.0%

35-44

7.0%

65+

7.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Health

24.0%

25-34

23.9%

45-54

21.9%

35-44

18.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

64.3%

College Diploma

$48,351 median annual income
10.7%

Bachelor

N/A
10.7%

Trade Certification

N/A
7.1%

High school

N/A
7.1%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Health

38.4%

College Diploma

$40,033 median annual income
27.1%

Bachelor

$61,668 median annual income
8.7%

Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry

$81,191 median annual income
6.8%

High school

$24,829 median annual income
5.1%

Master

$69,296 median annual income

Education & training

There is no information to display in this section

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Dental Technicians or Technologists

Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Dental Technicians Association
Chezzetcook, NS

Contacts

Health Care Human Resource Sector Council
Bedford, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.