One of the most important things to consider when choosing the best dental lab technician school is whether the program is accredited. This means the program has met certain standards set by the accreditation board that oversees dental schools in your country. Having a degree from an accredited school also is helpful if you choose to become a certified dental lab technician.
Look for an accredited dental lab technician school at a two- or four-year college, vocational school or dental school. Generally, an associate’s degree or certificate is required, although some schools offer bachelor’s degrees. You usually will need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent in order to apply to these programs.
The best dental lab technician school instructs students about how to make and repair dental prosthetics that are made out of a variety of materials. These materials include porcelain, gold, plaster, wax and plastic. As a student, you also need to learn how to make dental impressions from a patient’s jaw. Doing this with precision ensures that any dental prosthetic will fit the patient comfortably.
In addition to the technical aspects of the job, the best dental lab technician school teaches students the history and ethics associated with the dental profession. Courses in dental anatomy and physiology also are vital to excelling in this profession.
Learning to work with a dentist is another important part of the training at a quality dental lab technician school. This includes being able to understand and follow written instructions from the dentist. This will help greatly in creating the best dental prosthetics for the patient.
Finally, you will need plenty of practice in working with the small hand instruments that are used to shape artificial teeth. You also will need training that teaches you how to match the shade of dental prosthetics to any existing teeth. Closely matching the color on existing teeth is one of the most important factors in providing a natural look.
After completing training at your dental lab technician school, you might want to consider certification. In the United States, for example, national certification can take place after completing an accredited program and a certain number of years of experience. This voluntary exam, given by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology, is designed to test competency and to help improve quality in the profession.
Some dental lab technicians take a certification examination to demonstrate that they specialize in a certain area. A dental lab technician can specialize in orthodontics, partial dentures, crowns, full or partial dentures or ceramics. All of this work requires precision, creativity and artistry to help give a patient's teeth the best possible look and feel.