Summary
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians construct, fit, or repair medical appliances and devices.
What they do
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians construct, fit, or repair medical appliances and devices, including dentures, eyeglasses, and prosthetics.
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically do the following:
- Follow detailed work orders and prescriptions
- Determine which materials and tools will be needed
- Bend, form, and shape fabric or material
- Polish and shape appliances and devices, using hand or power tools
- Adjust appliances or devices to allow for a more natural look or to improve function
- Inspect the final product for quality and accuracy
- Repair damaged appliances and devices
In small laboratories and offices, technicians may handle every phase of production. In larger ones, technicians may be responsible for only one phase of production, such as polishing, measuring, or testing.
Dental laboratory technicians use traditional or digital impressions or molds of a patient’s teeth to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances. They work closely with dentists, but have limited contact with patients.
Dental laboratory technicians work with small hand tools, such as files and polishers. They work with many different materials, including wax, alloy, ceramic, plastic, and porcelain, to make prosthetic appliances. In some cases, technicians use computer programs or three-dimensional printers to create appliances or to get impressions sent from a dentist’s office.
Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in one or more of the following: orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, implants, or ceramics. Technicians may have different job titles, depending on their specialty. For example, technicians who make ceramic restorations such as veneers and bridges, are called dental ceramists.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are also commonly known as manufacturing opticians or optical mechanics.
Although they make some lenses by hand, ophthalmic laboratory technicians often use automated equipment. Some technicians manufacture lenses for optical instruments, such as telescopes and binoculars. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians should not be confused with dispensing opticians, who work with customers to select eyewear and may prepare work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
Medical appliance technicians construct, fit, and repair medical supportive devices, including arch supports, facial parts, and foot and leg braces.
Medical appliance technicians use many different types of materials, such as metal, plastic, and leather, to create a variety of medical devices for patients who need them because of a birth defect, an accident, disease, amputation, or the effects of aging. For example, some medical appliance technicians make hearing aids.
Orthotic and prosthetic technicians, also called O&P technicians, are medical appliance technicians who create orthoses (braces, supports, and other devices) and prostheses (replacement limbs and facial parts). These technicians work closely with orthotists or prosthetists.
Work Environment
Technicians may be exposed to health and safety hazards when they handle certain materials, but there is little risk if they follow proper procedures, such as wearing goggles, gloves, or masks. They may spend a great deal of time standing or bending.
How to become a Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training.
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. There are some postsecondary programs in dental laboratory technology at community colleges or technical or vocational schools that award an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate. High school students interested in becoming dental or ophthalmic laboratory technicians or medical appliance technicians should take courses in science, human anatomy, math, computer programming, and art.
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training. They usually begin as helpers in a laboratory and learn more advanced skills as they gain experience. For example, dental laboratory technicians may begin by pouring plaster into an impression to make a model. As they become more experienced, they may progress to more complex tasks, such as designing and fabricating crowns and bridges. Because all laboratories are different, the length of training varies.
Pay
The median annual wage for dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians was $37,370 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,110.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because medical appliance and ophthalmic laboratory technicians have relatively small employment numbers, the fast growth will result in only about 1,700 and 2,300 new jobs, respectively, over the decade.
Similar Job Titles
Edger Technician, Finishing Lab Technician, Grinder, Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Lens Grinder and Polisher, Line Operator, Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician), Optical Technician, Polisher, Surfacing Technician, Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Technician, Dental Ceramist, Dental Laboratory Technician (Dental Lab Tech), Dental Technician (Dental Tech), Denture Technician, Metal Finisher, Model and Dye Person, Orthodontic Laboratory Technician (Orthodontic Lab Technician), Porcelain Technician, Waxer
Related Occupations
Solderers and Brazers; Print Binding and Finishing Worker; Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders; Upholsterer; Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator; Electromechanical Equipment Assembler; Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician;
More Information
The trade associations listed below represent organizations made up of people (members) who work and promote advancement in the field. Members are very interested in telling others about their work and about careers in those areas. As well, trade associations provide opportunities for organizational networking and learning more about the field’s trends and directions.
- American Dental Association - This organization is a strong advocate for public health – fighting oral cancer and combating the opioids crisis – and they team up with industry partners to help keep people healthy from the dental chair to daily care at home. This association aims to continuously work toward their vision – working side by side with our member dentists – to achieve optimal health for all.
- National Association of Dental Laboratories - The mission of this association is to aggressively advances the dental laboratory technology industry and its members through advocacy, education, standards and services.
- Medical Device Manufacturing Association - MDMA is the leading voice representing the interests of innovative and entrepreneurial medical technology companies. This organization provides educational and advocacy assistance to more than 270 members. MDMA members all share a common goal: to provide patients and clinicians with timely access to safe and effective medical technologies that improve the quality of life.
- National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
Magazines and Publications
Dental Laboratory Technician:
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician:
Medical Appliance Technician:
Video Transcript
Dental Laboratory Technician:
Fabricating eyeglasses and dental appliances requires skill with precise instruments… exacting accuracy… and an understanding of different materials. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians rely on all these qualities to create and repair products to improve patients’ dental and vision health. Dental laboratory technicians use molds of a patient’s teeth to construct crowns, bridges, and dentures. They use hand tools and 3-D printers to form materials, such as wax, plastic, and porcelain, into prosthetic appliances. Dental lab technicians work closely with dentists, but rarely interact with patients. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They may fill orders using automated equipment, or working by hand. Some make lenses for optical instruments, such as telescopes and binoculars. Technicians may need to wear goggles, gloves, or masks, and spend a great deal of time standing or bending. They work in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, stores, and dentist and optometrist offices. Most work full time. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training. High school courses in science, human anatomy, math, computer programming, and art may be helpful.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician:
Fabricating eyeglasses and dental appliances requires skill with precise instruments… exacting accuracy… and an understanding of different materials. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians rely on all these qualities to create and repair products to improve patients’ dental and vision health. Dental laboratory technicians use molds of a patient’s teeth to construct crowns, bridges, and dentures. They use hand tools and 3-D printers to form materials, such as wax, plastic, and porcelain, into prosthetic appliances. Dental lab technicians work closely with dentists, but rarely interact with patients. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They may fill orders using automated equipment, or working by hand. Some make lenses for optical instruments, such as telescopes and binoculars. Technicians may need to wear goggles, gloves, or masks, and spend a great deal of time standing or bending. They work in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, stores, and dentist and optometrist offices. Most work full time. Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training. High school courses in science, human anatomy, math, computer programming, and art may be helpful.
Medical Appliance Technician:
Medical appliance technicians combine a knowledge of human anatomy with math and power tools to create artificial limbs and braces. Their work supports other medical experts who use devices to help patients overcome a physical limitation. These technicians read prescriptions and detailed information about what a patient needs. They often work from a cast or impression, measuring with precision instruments, and then creating an appliance or new limb with the help of design software. Typically, technicians use hand or power tools to cut and shape the new limbs. They glue, rivet or weld the parts together. However, the use of 3D printer technology is growing rapidly, allowing for better fit and function than traditional prostheses. In either case, the final steps include smoothing the surfaces, and padding or covering them. Devices are then tested, adjusted, and eventually, repaired and maintained. Requirements vary from high school or equivalent to vocational training or an associate's degree. While there are few courses available in the field of orthotic and prosthetic technician, classes in shop, math, science and anatomy are helpful. Most learn technical skills on the job. Appliance technicians are medical mechanics. The appliances they build help people achieve physical function and form, as well as independence and productivity.
Content retrieved from: US Bureau of Labor Statistics-OOH www.bls.gov/ooh,
CareerOneStop www.careeronestop.org, O*Net Online www.onetonline.org