A dental technician, who is an expert at making artificial dental prosthetics is known as a ceramic technician, or more precisely a dental ceramic technician. The job isn’t quite that different from a normal dental laboratory technician but requiring quite the bit of skill.
Your job
A dental ceramist must create ceramics and prosthetics. That’s essentially the job. You create dentures, crowns, bridges and those kind of stuff. You will also act as a mediator between the patients and the dentist himself because patients are more likely to be comfortable with you than the dentist.
Your job requires much skill as each patient and their requirements are different. This requires versatility that you must acquire. The job requires you to work with a lot of people — patients, dentist, other technicians.
More to the job
Since the field is ever expanding, you can’t limit yourself to traditional ceramics. A patient’s satisfaction is your duty. And computers can give that precision which human hands lack. So, you may have to gain some information on 3D modeling and making ceramics with the help of the digital world.
You must also help patients with the prosthetics if they are removable. You have to guide them, if one were to say, on the proper way to use their new, amazing teeth.
How do you become a dental ceramic technician?
Get a degree
Just like a normal career field, having an undergraduate degree in the course is one way. It is the norm. An undergraduate degree would prepare you for what lies ahead. An undergraduate degree might also allow you to specialise in something, adding to your skill. You could go for dental ceramics which might give you an edge.
Getting skilled in such specialised areas might help you find work later on under dentists who are looking for a person with a specific skillset.
A certificate programme
If you don’t want to bother with an undergraduate degree for some reason, you can always enroll for a certificate programme. This is equivalent to an associate degree as far as education and skills go. This can help you get your foot through the door. These courses being more hands on might be more beneficial considering the time taken for such a course.
Don’t stop with a certificate Programme
Get as much hands on experience as you can. By hands on, you should try to get a job at a dentist’s or the sort where you can put your skills to use. Hone your skills and find better places to do your job. The good thing is there are always better places and people looking for skilled people.
While it may be true that you cannot start at the top, you can always work your way up to the top. Your career is long. The initial hard work will pay off in the end.
What about the non-textbook side of things?
Beauty in the details
A dental ceramic technician is expected to pay attention to even minute details. A technician is an artist of sorts. He creates something new for each client, each day. Each patient is different and for making the perfect prosthetics that fit well, a dental ceramic technician must have an eye for detail.
The fine adjustments are what makes the prosthetics perfect. You’re giving them a second shot at a bog broad smile. It’s a huge responsibility. But, it holds that artistic satisfaction. And, a satisfied client is sure to boost your reputation.
Play the part
Being a dental technician of any sort comes with it’s fair deal of stress and having to deal with things. You have to act as a mediator in addition to being good at what you’re supposed to be. You have to know a client’s needs and make the prosthetics for them accordingly.
Patients may also be more comfortable with the technicians than they are with the dentist. So, you must convey what the patient can’t to the dentist. You must also provide support to a patient undergoing an operation. Finally, you have to act as a guide. You have to show the clients the right way to use the prosthetics that you made.
Making sure of this is very important as it would help the patients and also minimise damage to the prosthetics which can avoid another visit from the client. A client who comes often is not the most satisfied client.
Your decisions matter
Sometimes only you can decide what is best during a particular situation. Some problems may be one of a kind. So, you have to call the shots during those times. Your decisions are very important. So being logical and wise is very important to being a dental ceramic technician.
Hands of steel
You can’t get fidgety with your hands when you’re a dental ceramic technician. People rely on the steadiness of your hand. A steady hand is more capable of producing the best prosthetics as it’s all about the detail. Your precision, your skill with the tools, all of that will determine your level as a dental ceramic technician.
You must be versatile and have amazing knowledge of your work tools. You and the tool are not two, but one, in the process of making a prosthetic. Your versatility is an asset. So is your knowledge.
There’s no need to worry about the salary either. You’ll be making six figures per year on average. This is once you’ve had quite a few years under your belt.
How and where can you enroll for those courses and degree programmes that we mentioned before? Cochin Dental Institute, one of the best dental colleges in Cochin, Kerala is offering the best ceramic technician courses in Kerala. It will definitely be worth your time and effort.
They have been training dental ceramic technicians for years. The results they produce are awesome. You can always head on over to their website and see for yourself the testimonials of the alumni. Cochin Dental institute is undoubtedly the one of best dental college in Kerala for dental technician Courses.
