Dental Technician

What does the dental technician do? What is his role?

The dental technician, as its name indicates, is a highly qualified professional specializing in dental prostheses: crowns, inlays, onlays, dental bridges, dental veneers, etc.

The dental technician is responsible for creating prostheses from different materials, such as gold, ceramic or resin, for example.

The prosthodontist ensures that the prosthesis created corresponds to precise specifications, according to the needs of the patient, the role that the prosthesis will play and its location within the patient’s mouth.
This professional works in close collaboration with the dentist, the implantologist, the orthodontist and the dental surgeon, in order to create customized prostheses. He or she may have to make adjustments to old dentures, model or sculpt new ones, repair damaged dentures, etc.

Unlike other professions related to dental care, the prosthetist does not work in contact with the public: his clients are dental surgeons, who send him their orders as well as their specifications adapted to the specificities of their own patients.

What are the expected skills?

The profession of dental technician requires great meticulousness and rigor on a daily basis: since this professional is required to create very small prostheses, he or she must maintain concentration throughout the manufacturing process.
Of course, it is absolutely essential to have excellent dexterity, a great sense of detail, as well as a methodical mind.

The dental technician must also have advanced skills related to the organic functioning of the entire oral and dental apparatus. Today, this profession is mainly carried out via computer systems, which is why the dental technician must continually train in new software and new techniques related to his field of activity, in order to offer his clients ever more innovative solutions.

The advantages of the profession of dental technician

Advantages

The profession of dental technician has many advantages: the possibility of working in the field of dental care while being employed, the increasing remuneration throughout the career, as well as the high demand of the market.

This is an exciting profession for all those who are interested in laboratory work and the creation of medical tools. Moreover, as this profession is not well known, few young students wish to embark on this path: job offers are therefore numerous.

On the other hand, it is important to note that career advancement is rare in the dental technician profession.

How to become a dental technician? 

Contrary to many professions in the field of dental care, the profession of prosthetist does not require a minimum of 5 years of higher education. In fact, several courses of study can be taken, from the CAP to the bac+3 level:

• The CAP auxiliary in dental prostheses;
• The Bac Pro Dental Prosthesis;
• The Technical Certificate of Dental Prosthetist;
• The Technical Patent of the Superior Trades of dental prosthesist; 
• The BTS dental technician:
• The Certificate of Professional Qualification (CQP) to specialize in dental and facial orthopedics. 

Of course, all these diplomas do not allow to reach the same levels of hierarchical responsibilities within a dental laboratory.
Thus, if the CAP or the Bac Pro are enough to be employed in a laboratory, it will be necessary to have a BTMS to be able to evolve within the hierarchy.

What are the career paths for a dental technician? 

Career development is rare for dental technicians, as explained above.
However, a professional holding a CQP in dental and facial orthopedics or a BTMS in dental prosthetics can hope to evolve towards the position of laboratory manager, after several years of experience.
It is also possible for a dental technician to open his own laboratory, with many years of practice and a significant financial financial investment.

What is the salary for the profession of dental technician? 

At the beginning of his career, a dental technician can be paid very well. After several years of experience, his salary can greatly evolve but will depend on his experience and specialties. His salary will be particularly interesting if he works in a large city or in a renowned laboratory.

The different types of employers

Most often, the dental technician is employed in a laboratory specialized in this field of activity. It is also possible to work as a private practitioner, although this is less common.

What you should know about the profession of dental technician

SECTOR	Health
DEGREE’S LEVEL	CAP or Bac +3
FORMATION	CQP in dental and facial orthopedics
SALAIRY	to 27 from32% following experience

Because our Group is a unique collective human adventure, based on the guarantee of access to care for all, a strong local presence, impeccable quality of care and strong growth, it offers you real prospects for development.
Joining our centers means taking part in the development of the first leader in dental health, developing your skills and expertise in a dynamic, friendly and multicultural environment.

Young or experienced dentists, dental assistants, medical secretaries, coordinators or center managers, our offers are for you. As actors in your career, motivated by the idea of fulfilling strong ambitions, sensitive to the social world, live our values of commitment to the best of dental health for all.