dental assistant working on a patient

Dental technologists and technicians

(NOC 32112)
Annual Earnings
$54,226
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
340

Career Overview

Dental technologists and technicians:

  • Design, prepare and fabricate dentures and dental devices as prescribed by dentists and other specialists
  • Supervisors of dental technologists and technicians are included in this group

Duties

Dental technologists and technicians:

  • Design, fabricate or repair dental devices including full or partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants
  • Ensure proper handling and control of hazardous materials and follow laboratory infection control procedures, as required
  • May consult with dentists or other specialists on problematic dental cases
  • May train and supervise other dental technicians and dental laboratory assistants in fabricating dentures and other dental devices
  • May conduct research in the science, techniques and practice of dental technology
  • May perform administrative functions for the dental laboratory

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$54,226

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$33.00/hr
Median$26.00/hr
Low$25.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

920

% Employed Full Time

36%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work takes place in an office and/or laboratory environment
  • Workers may use instruments or power tools that could be a source of injury

 

Career Pathways

Supervisory positions may be possible within this group.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Dental technician
Dental technician supervisor
Dental technologist
Registered dental technician (RDT)
Registered dental technologist (RDT)

Education, Training and Skills

  • Dental technologists and technicians are required to complete a college program in dental technology
    or
    Four or more years of on-the-job training under the supervision of a registered dental technologist or technician.
  • Registration with a regulatory body is required for dental technologists and technicians in all provinces except in Manitoba and the territories.
  • Dental laboratory assistants usually require secondary school and up to two years of on-the-job training.

Dental technicians who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Dental Related
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

59%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

56%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

56%
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

53%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

53%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

50%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

50%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

50%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

50%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

50%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

920
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 20 2.2%
Kootenay 10 1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 660 71.7%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 95 10.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 130 14.1%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

340
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 260 1.1%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 30 0.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 50 1.3%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Health Care And Social Assistance190
Manufacturing130
Wholesale Trade20
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources