[Core] [67% incumbents] Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
  DWAs: Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures. | Direct operational or production activities.

[Core] [66% incumbents] Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
  DWAs: Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.

[Core] [66% incumbents] Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
  DWAs: Inspect medical or dental assistive devices.

[Core] [66% incumbents] Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
  DWAs: Trim excess material from workpieces. | Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.

[Core] [65% incumbents] Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
  DWAs: Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices. | Repair medical or dental assistive devices.

[Core] [65% incumbents] Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
  DWAs: Mix ingredients to create specific finishes. | Place materials into molds. | Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.
  DWAs: Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.
  DWAs: Load items into ovens or furnaces.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.
  DWAs: Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
  DWAs: Place materials into molds. | Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.
  DWAs: Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.
  DWAs: Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools. | Solder parts or workpieces.

[Supplemental] [65% incumbents] Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.
  DWAs: Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.

[Core] [64% incumbents] Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
  DWAs: Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.

[Supplemental] [64% incumbents] Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
  DWAs: Prepare materials for processing.

[Supplemental] [64% incumbents] Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.
  DWAs: Repair medical or dental assistive devices.

[Supplemental] [64% incumbents] Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
  DWAs: Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.

[EMERGING:New] Meet with dentists or patients to discuss dental appliances.

[EMERGING:New] Order parts or materials needed to make dental appliances.

[EMERGING:New] Scan dental models to create digital files.

[EMERGING:New] Stain porcelain on dental appliances to match the color of patients' teeth.

--- SKILLS ---
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.38 lvl:3.00) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.25 lvl:3.38) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Listening (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Active Learning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Monitoring (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Writing (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Science (imp:2.12 lvl:1.50) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  Mathematics (imp:2.00 lvl:2.25) — Using mathematics to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Administration and Management (imp:3.78 lvl:3.60) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Design (imp:3.78 lvl:4.06) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  English Language (imp:3.64 lvl:3.39) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:3.61 lvl:3.59) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Production and Processing (imp:3.51 lvl:3.90) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Education and Training (imp:3.46 lvl:4.07) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:3.38 lvl:3.01) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Mechanical (imp:3.17 lvl:3.19) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Computers and Electronics (imp:3.01 lvl:3.22) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.82 lvl:3.00) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Chemistry (imp:2.58 lvl:3.02) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.47 lvl:2.32) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Administrative (imp:2.44 lvl:2.04) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Sales and Marketing (imp:2.40 lvl:2.28) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Mathematics (imp:2.17 lvl:2.11) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Fine Arts (imp:1.98 lvl:2.00) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.96 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Physics (imp:1.91 lvl:1.60) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Telecommunications (imp:1.90 lvl:1.21) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Biology (imp:1.82 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Public Safety and Security (imp:1.81 lvl:1.24) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Communications and Media (imp:1.79 lvl:1.27) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Building and Construction (imp:1.71 lvl:1.16) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Transportation (imp:1.69 lvl:1.06) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Psychology (imp:1.63 lvl:1.51) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Law and Government (imp:1.38 lvl:0.70) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.26 lvl:0.53) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  History and Archeology (imp:1.25) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.19 lvl:0.46) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Foreign Language (imp:1.17) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Geography (imp:1.14) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.12) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Food Production (imp:1.11) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food

--- ABILITIES ---
  Finger Dexterity (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Near Vision (imp:4.00 lvl:4.38) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.88 lvl:3.75) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Control Precision (imp:3.88 lvl:3.88) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Visualization (imp:3.62 lvl:3.75) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.38 lvl:3.00) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.38 lvl:2.88) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Information Ordering (imp:3.38 lvl:3.25) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.25 lvl:2.88) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Selective Attention (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.12 lvl:3.88) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.12 lvl:2.38) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.12 lvl:2.88) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Oral Expression (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Written Expression (imp:2.75 lvl:2.38) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Far Vision (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.75 lvl:2.00) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Originality (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.62 lvl:2.12) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Time Sharing (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Reaction Time (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Memorization (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Rate Control (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:2.12 lvl:2.25) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Depth Perception (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Static Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:1.50) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Response Orientation (imp:1.88 lvl:1.25) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Extent Flexibility (imp:1.62 lvl:1.00) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Dynamic Strength (imp:1.50 lvl:0.62) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Night Vision (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.38 lvl:0.50) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Stamina (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:1.00) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:1.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Thinking Creatively (imp:4.34 lvl:4.98) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Getting Information (imp:4.24 lvl:3.37) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.10 lvl:4.54) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Processing Information (imp:4.04 lvl:4.37) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.02 lvl:4.70) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.99 lvl:4.38) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.96 lvl:4.17) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.94 lvl:4.29) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:3.86 lvl:4.05) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:3.79 lvl:4.53) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:3.79 lvl:4.17) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.76 lvl:3.77) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.71 lvl:3.59) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:3.69 lvl:3.65) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.69 lvl:4.20) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:3.65 lvl:3.97) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.57 lvl:3.52) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.51 lvl:3.62) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.50 lvl:3.85) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.47 lvl:4.41) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.42 lvl:3.48) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.29 lvl:2.79) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.26 lvl:3.53) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.23 lvl:3.44) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.21 lvl:2.71) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.19 lvl:3.19) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:3.07 lvl:3.34) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:3.05 lvl:3.25) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:3.04 lvl:3.49) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:3.04 lvl:3.42) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.95 lvl:2.94) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Working with Computers (imp:2.94 lvl:3.06) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:2.81 lvl:2.94) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:2.80 lvl:3.13) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:2.75 lvl:3.32) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:2.65 lvl:1.98) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.64 lvl:2.74) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.63 lvl:2.55) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:2.41 lvl:2.29) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:2.18 lvl:1.81) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:1.95 lvl:1.77) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Attention to Detail (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Dependability (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Dependability (imp:2.59) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cautiousness (imp:2.03) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:1.58) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Integrity (imp:1.45) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Perseverance (imp:1.40) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Innovation (imp:1.02) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Cautiousness (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Stress Tolerance (imp:0.95) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.84) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Self-Control (imp:0.75) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Cooperation (imp:0.73) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Self-Confidence (imp:0.71) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Initiative (imp:0.61) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability (imp:0.40) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Sincerity (imp:0.17) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy (imp:0.04) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Optimism (imp:0.02) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Humility (imp:-0.04) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Social Orientation (imp:-0.14) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:-0.17) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:-0.27) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Time Management (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.12 lvl:2.75) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:2.88 lvl:2.50) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Coordination (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Instructing (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Operation and Control (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Persuasion (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Negotiation (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Service Orientation (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Equipment Selection (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:2.25 lvl:1.75) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Repairing (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Technology Design (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:1.62) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.75 lvl:1.50) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Programming (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 34,410
  annual_median    : $49,610
  annual_pct10     : $36,660
  annual_pct25     : $40,420
  annual_pct75     : $62,070
  annual_pct90     : $76,940
  annual_mean      : $54,290
  hourly_median    : $23.85

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Massachusetts ($72,800)
  lowest_state     : Puerto Rico ($22,490)
  dispersion_ratio : 3.237x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (47 total) ---
  Manufacturing                            emp:   27,810  median: $  48,730
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:    5,810  median: $  51,380
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      450  median: $  73,320
  Educational Services                     emp:      130  median: $  52,520
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:       30  median: $  42,290

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (5 total) ---
  Manufacturing                            emp:   27,810  median: $  48,730
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:    5,810  median: $  51,380
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      450  median: $  73,320
  Educational Services                     emp:      130  median: $  52,520
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:       30  median: $  42,290

exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Dental technician
match_score        : 0.7391
wikidata_qid       : Q144075
word_count         : 1,358
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_technician
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T23:23:45.609461Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
A dental technician is a member of the dental team who, upon prescription from a dental clinician, constructs custom-made restorative and dental appliances.
There are four major disciplines within dental technology. These are fixed prosthesis including crowns, bridges and implants; removable prosthesis, including dentures and removable partial dentures; maxillofacial prosthesis, including ocular prosthesis and craniofacial prosthesis; and orthodontics and auxiliaries, including orthodontic appliances and mouthguards.
The dentist communicates with the dental technician with prescriptions, drawings, and measurements taken from the patient. The most important aspect of this is a dental impression into which the technician flows a gypsum dental stone to create a replica of the patient's anatomy known as a dental cast. A technician can then use this cast for the construction of custom appliances.


== Fixed restorations ==
A fixed dental restoration is an appliance designed to replace a tooth or teeth that may have been lost or damaged by injury, caries or other oral diseases. These restorations are distinguished from other restorations by the fact that once they have been placed by a dentist the patient can not remove them.
Such restorations include crowns, bridges, veneers, fixed implant restorations, pivot teeth, inlays and onlays.


== Removable restorations ==
Removable restorations are dental appliances to replace one or more teeth that have been completely lost. These restorations ideally remain stable in normal function but can be removed by the patient for cleaning and at night. Removable restorations are either retained by the patients soft tissue as in full dentures, anchored and stabilized by other teeth as with partial dentures and overdentures or on implant attachments as with implant-retained overdentures and partial dentures.


== Orthodontics ==
Orthodontic technicians make removable orthodontic appliances with wires, springs, and screws on prescription from an orthodontist to either move teeth to form a more harmonious occlusion and aesthetic appearance of teeth or to maintain the position of previously moved teeth.


== Specialization ==
Training to become a dental technician requires a combination of academic study as well as experience gained from working on the job. Therefore, regardless of the country that they are from, after becoming a qualified technician (so long as the title of “dental technician” exists there) one has finished their studies, but not their training since these crafts take years of experience to master.
Depending on the position held by the dental technician, their specific title could differ as well (“ceramicist”, “polisher”, “orthodontist”, etc.). In fact, due to the complexity of the work that is carried out by dental technicians, a professional generally specializes in one field of dental prosthesis. Since the range of devices to design and create is extremely varied, it would be impossible to make all of them with the same set of skills, further, to completely master any technique may require years of experience.
In general, the first step a dental technician makes is to “master the plaster”, meaning that they first start in the part of the lab where dental impressions are made, cutting models, and mounting articulators. The dental technician may acquire the ability to carry out various and disparate tasks in the lab, being able to even execute most steps in the production of various prosthetics, such as removable partial dentures, complete and partially made of resin, and orthodontic devices (including braces and retainers). Nevertheless, as mentioned previously, dental technicians need to specialize; in fact, there are many specific dental labs that exist for each and every type of prosthesis.
The distinct specialties are described below:


=== Polisher ===
A polisher is a dental technician who dedicates themselves to the setup of teeth, either in making removable prosthetics made of resin or metal, molding the neck of the tooth, or loading the resin. Within their profession, they can also be referred to as a waxer.


=== Metalworker ===
A metalworker is a dental technician who is in charge of casting dental rods, which means they mold the metal and obtain the metallic frames for fixed prostheses, similar to the removable prosthetics made of resin. They are also in charge of processing and reworking said metal. These professionals can also be in charge of designing the wax patterns of removable metallic prostheses, such as the copings of crowns and fixed bridges. Among other things, this depends on the dental technician and the lab in which they work.


=== Prosthetic orthodontists ===
It is very common to differentiate a prosthetist who works with removable orthodontics, as it is normal to find professionals who specialize in this field. Removable equipment consists of a variety of different devices, each with specific naming and characteristics. Prosthetic orthodontists should be both agile and precise when handling different pliers and manipulating wires.


=== Ceramicist ===
A ceramicist is a dental physician who has specialized in the final stage of making fixed prosthetics, which consists of the assembly of ceramic on different prosthetic structures such as: bridges, crowns, prosthetic implants or prosthetic attachments. This technique is complex and requires artistic talent, so much so that dental technicians can achieve different levels of ability, developing their creativity to a greater or lesser extent to give your teeth the most natural look possible. As such, ceramicists are often considered valued professionals.


== Products ==
Dental technicians predominantly make dentures, or similarly, create artificial parts that are intended to basically replace the natural, missing teeth of the patient.
Therefore, dental technicians make complete resin prosthetics (commonly called dentures), partial prosthetics (being metallic or made of resin), bridges and crowns of any type (fixed prosthetics, also called dental implants), and mixed prosthetic devices. Further, dental technicians also make all removable orthodontic devices (removable orthodontics), dental splints, individual compression trays, temporary resin prosthetics, bite plates, as well as study models. Dental technicians are also in charge of making composites (the repairing of prosthetics in case they break) and relining (the readjustment of prosthetics when they are too big or become flimsy in the mouth due to the reabsorption of alveolar bone over time). All of these, concerning the plaster models or instructor models, being a crime that acts on the patient's mouth.
In every country that legally regulates the profession of dental technicians, the prosthetist is the only professional trained and authorized by law to make the previously mentioned products.
By law, dental technicians can never, even if there is a medical prescription, take impressions- the client of the prosthetists is legally the dentist, and it is considered an intrusive crime by the Penal Code if a prosthetist touches the mouth of the patient.


== Objectives ==
The goal of a dental technician can be summarized as restoring functionality, health, and aesthetic of the mouth.
The only goal of a prosthetist is not just to create a prosthetic, but rather to restore the loss of functionality of a patient's mouth, from mastication and swallowing to speaking and correct phonetics. Through the work of a prosthetist, a patient's oral health, mechanical function, hygiene, and comfort are revamped, including the aesthetic of the mouth and face.
This objective is a combined effort between clinical and lab members, an effort that is, in part, coordinated and achieved by the dentist and the prosthetist. That said, the only one in charge of the creation of prosthetics is the prosthetist, being a handcrafted, personalized, unique item designed in the dental lab.


== Commemorative days 

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Cosmetic dentistry (similarity: 0.2979)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmetic_dentistry
  QID: Q2341717
  Extract: Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance. Many dentists refer to themselves as "cosmetic d

  Title: Denturist (similarity: 0.3158)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denturist
  QID: Q2901403
  Extract: A denturist in the United States and Canada, clinical dental technologist in the United Kingdom and Ireland, dental prosthetist in Australia, or a clinical dental technician in New Zealand is a member of the oral health care team and role as primary oral health care provider who provides an oral hea

  Title: Beeswax (similarity: 0.1111)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeswax
  QID: Q143739
  Extract: Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in or at the hive. The hive workers collect and use it to form cells for honey storage and larval and pupal protec

  Title: Ceramic art (similarity: 0.3000)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceramic_art
  QID: Q13464614
  Extract: Ceramic art, one of the plastic arts, is art made from ceramic materials, including clay. Ceramic art may take forms such as pottery, tiles, figurines, sculptures, and tableware. While some ceramic products are considered fine art, others are considered decorative, industrial, or applied art objects

  Title: Howard Williams (ceramicist) (similarity: 0.2807)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Williams_(ceramicist)
  QID: Q19519689
  Extract: 

Howard Williams is a New Zealand ceramicist and art writer.

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong data coverage across all major dimensions with clear task descriptions, comprehensive wage data, and well-defined skill requirements. Wikipedia match provides additional validation of role definition.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-04T02:27:26.983079+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,937
tokens_output        : 4,198
cost_usd             : $0.046486
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Dental technician
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia entry confirms the role definition as dental team members who construct custom restorative and dental appliances upon prescription from dental clinicians. This aligns with the O*NET description and emphasizes the prescription-based, custom fabrication nature of the work.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Dental Laboratory Technicians construct and repair custom dental prosthetics including dentures, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances based on dentist prescriptions and patient impressions. These skilled craftspeople combine technical precision with artistic ability to create functional dental restorations that match patient specifications. They work primarily behind the scenes in dental laboratories, supporting patient care through meticulous fabrication of dental devices.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A typical day involves reading dentist prescriptions and examining dental impressions to determine appliance specifications and design requirements. Technicians mold wax into tooth shapes using hand instruments, then cast these forms in plaster or pour porcelain and acrylic materials into molds to create the final prosthetics. They load newly constructed pieces into porcelain furnaces for baking, then carefully remove excess material and polish surfaces using specialized machines. Quality testing follows, using articulators and micrometers to verify proper fit and occlusion before delivery to dental offices.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals with exceptional finger dexterity and near vision excel in this role, as the work demands precise manipulation of small dental components and detailed visual inspection. Those who enjoy combining technical skill with creative problem-solving find satisfaction in custom-crafting dental solutions that restore patient function and appearance. The role suits methodical personalities who take pride in attention to detail and can work independently for extended periods. Successful technicians possess spatial visualization abilities and enjoy working with their hands to create tangible products that directly improve patient quality of life.

CAREER ENTRY:
Most dental laboratory technicians enter through high school completion (51.7% of workers) followed by specialized post-secondary certificate programs in dental technology (18.2%). These certificate programs typically last 1-2 years and cover dental anatomy, materials science, and fabrication techniques. Some technicians learn through on-the-job training combined with formal coursework, while others complete apprenticeships in dental laboratories to gain hands-on experience with equipment and procedures.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Entry-level technicians typically specialize in basic procedures like denture construction before advancing to complex crown and bridge work or orthodontic appliance fabrication. Career progression includes supervisory roles training other technicians, specialized ceramist positions focusing on aesthetic restorations, or CAD/CAM technology specialists working with digital dental equipment. Some experienced technicians establish independent laboratories or become certified dental technologists, while others transition to related roles in medical device manufacturing or dental equipment sales.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, 34,410 dental laboratory technicians earn a median annual wage of $49,610, with the salary range spanning $36,660 to $76,940 from 10th to 90th percentile. Geographic wage variation is substantial, with Massachusetts leading at $72,800 compared to Puerto Rico at $22,490, representing a 3.24x ratio. Manufacturing employs the largest share (27,810 workers) followed by healthcare and social assistance (5,810 workers). The field faces challenges from digital dentistry automation and offshore production, but demand persists for complex custom work requiring local expertise and quick turnaround times.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology are transforming dental laboratory work, with emerging tasks including scanning dental models to create digital files and using computer-aided design systems. However, the high-level creative thinking, visualization skills, and fine motor control required for custom dental prosthetics provide protection against full automation. Complex cases requiring artistic judgment for color matching, texture, and individualized fitting will likely remain human-dependent, though routine production tasks may increasingly shift to automated systems.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [skill_overlap] Medical Appliance Technicians (51-9082.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share high finger dexterity requirements (4.0 importance), custom device fabrication, and precision manufacturing skills.
    data: Finger Dexterity (4.0)
    data: custom device construction
    data: precision control abilities
  [knowledge_overlap] Dental Assistants (31-9091.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both require Medicine and Dentistry knowledge (3.6 importance) and work directly with dental procedures and patient care.
    data: Medicine and Dentistry (3.6)
    data: dental patient interaction
    data: dental procedure knowledge
  [riasec_cluster] Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians (51-9083.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both show strong Realistic orientation (6.61) combined with precision manufacturing and medical device fabrication focus.
    data: Realistic orientation (6.61)
    data: precision manufacturing
    data: medical device specialization
  [task_similarity] Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (51-9195.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Core tasks include pouring materials into molds, casting processes, and shaping techniques using similar fabrication methods.
    data: pouring materials into molds
    data: casting procedures
    data: shaping and forming techniques
  [transferable_skill] Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand (51-9022.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles involve removing excess material and polishing surfaces using specialized machines and hand tools.
    data: polishing machines operation
    data: excess material removal
    data: surface finishing techniques

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['dental laboratory', 'dental technician', 'denture fabrication', 'crown bridge', 'dental prosthetics', 'dental appliance', 'ceramist', 'dental restoration']
  exclude_keywords : ['dental hygienist', 'dental assistant', 'dentist', 'oral surgeon', 'dental office']
  title_patterns   : ['dental lab technician', 'dental laboratory technician', 'crown bridge tech', 'dental ceramist', 'certified dental technologist']
  common_variations: ['dental lab tech', 'lab technician dental', 'dental prosthetic technician', 'crown and bridge technician', 'dental appliance technician', 'ceramist dental', 'CDT technician', 'dental device fabricator']

total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['dental', 'tendency', 'others', 'equipment', 'technician', 'technicians', 'materials', 'devices', 'patient', 'teeth', 'principles', 'create', 'removable', 'prosthetics', 'products', 'production', 'includes', 'control', 'objects', 'appliances']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
dental                    100  0.02809  wikipedia            wikipedia:59%  inference:23%  onet_tasks:11%
tendency                   42  0.01180  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     41  0.01152  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:93%  inference:5%  wikipedia:2%
equipment                  29  0.00815  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:79%  inference:10%  dwas:7%
technician                 24  0.00674  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
technicians                23  0.00646  wikipedia            wikipedia:57%  inference:39%  onet_tasks:4%
materials                  21  0.00590  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:48%  dwas:29%  onet_tasks:10%
devices                    20  0.00562  dwas                 dwas:35%  onet_dimensions:25%  wikipedia:25%
patient                    19  0.00534  wikipedia            wikipedia:53%  inference:26%  onet_tasks:11%
teeth                      17  0.00477  wikipedia            wikipedia:65%  onet_tasks:35%
principles                 16  0.00449  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
create                     15  0.00421  wikipedia            wikipedia:27%  inference:27%  onet_tasks:20%
removable                  15  0.00421  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
prosthetics                14  0.00393  wikipedia            wikipedia:79%  inference:21%
products                   13  0.00365  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:38%  wikipedia:23%  onet_tasks:15%
production                 13  0.00365  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:62%  dwas:15%  inference:15%
includes                   13  0.00365  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  inference:8%
control                    13  0.00365  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  inference:8%
objects                    13  0.00365  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  wikipedia:8%
appliances                 12  0.00337  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:42%  wikipedia:42%  inference:17%
hand                       12  0.00337  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:58%  onet_tasks:25%  dwas:8%
design                     11  0.00309  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:55%  wikipedia:18%  inference:18%
dentures                   11  0.00309  wikipedia            wikipedia:73%  onet_tasks:18%  inference:9%
procedures                 11  0.00309  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:73%  inference:18%  dwas:9%
techniques                 11  0.00309  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:91%  inference:9%
oral                       11  0.00309  wikipedia            wikipedia:73%  onet_dimensions:27%
ideas                      11  0.00309  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
medical                    11  0.00309  dwas                 dwas:73%  onet_dimensions:9%  wikipedia:9%
restorations               11  0.00309  wikipedia            wikipedia:82%  inference:18%
activities                 10  0.00281  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  dwas:10%
body                       10  0.00281  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
models                      9  0.00253  wikipedia            wikipedia:44%  onet_tasks:33%  onet_dimensions:11%
metal                       9  0.00253  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:44%  wikipedia:33%  dwas:22%
porcelain                   9  0.00253  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:78%  inference:22%
machines                    9  0.00253  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  onet_tasks:11%  inference:11%
wax                         9  0.00253  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:44%  wikipedia:44%  inference:11%
prosthesis                  9  0.00253  wikipedia            wikipedia:89%  onet_tasks:11%
problems                    9  0.00253  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
made                        9  0.00253  wikipedia            wikipedia:89%  onet_dimensions:11%
resources                   9  0.00253  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%