Introduction To Dental Technician

Working closely with the dentist to support patients with everything from improving their appearance to their ability to eat, the dental technician is responsible for making appliances to go in patients’ mouths such as false teeth (dentures) and caps for teeth (crowns).

Within dental technology there are two types of roles, a dental technician and a clinical dental technician:

• the role of a dental technician does not work directly with patients and instead receives is provided with impressions or data to create the required appliances
• the role of a clinical dental technician however fits between a dental technician and a dentist, having direct contact with patients to examine, assess, treat, provide advice and designs, modifications and repairs under the overall prescription of a dentist.

Both roles provide the opportunity to work in general laboratories to within hospital settings where appliances for more complex dental cases and diseases are created.

Visit the rest of this floor to learn about what life is like as a dental technician and clinical dental technician in Wales!

Useful links:

Cardiff Metropolitan University: BSc (Hons) Dental Technology Degree Course