What does a lab technician do?

A lab technician fabricates crown, bridges, dentures, partials, and orthodontic appliances.

Where does a dental lab technician work?

Lab technicians work in commercial laboratories with 2 to 10 technician, private dental offices, manufacturing companies, hospitals, self-employed. Some very large laboratories hire as many as 1,000 technicians.

What kind of personality do you need to have to work as dental lab technician?

A lab technician likes to work with their hands, pays attention to details, works independently and enjoys artistic work.

What is the earning potential for a dental lab technician?

There is an unlimited earning power because of the increased demand for cosmetic dentistry, an aging population that needs dental appliances and an increased awareness of dental care by the general public.

What are the pre-requisites for the dental lab program?

The only pre-requisites for the dental laboratory program are a high school diploma or GED and English 097. English 097 is "Basic English as a Second Language."

When do your classes start?

We start one class a year in the Autumn quarter which starts in September. The classes start at 8:00 o'clock in the morning and end at 12:00 noon.

How many students do you start in the dental lab program each year?

We start small classes of 20.

What is the difference between an Associates Degree program and a Certificate Program?

A Certificate Program is designed for the person who wants concentrated instruction in a specific area of dental laboratory. It differs from the Associates Degree which has a broader background.

Can I earn an Associates Degree?

Yes. You can earn an Associates Degree in Technical Studies. It would be earned by combining the dental laboratory courses with certain business courses.

Can I work as a technician before I’ve finished the program?

Yes. We have many students working in laboratories before they have finished the program.

Will having an Associates degree make any difference when I begin looking for a job?

No. Most lab owners are interested in people who can do the work. Whether you went to school for one year or two is usually not important to lab owners.

How many schools for Dental Lab are there in Ohio and how long are there programs?

There is only one program in Ohio and it is at Columbus State Community College.

Do laboratory technicians need to be certified?

There is a certification test that is given to technicians after they have worked in the field for 5 years. But a technician does not have to be certified to work. For more information on certification you can contact the National Association of Dental Laboratories at www.nadl.org

When can I apply to the program and where do I get the application?

Call us at 1-800-621-6407 ext 2547 and we will forward you an application.