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Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants (NOC 3223)

High opportunity occupation
Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources
View full profile

About this job

This unit group works in dental laboratories and includes supervisors of dental technologists and technicians.

Dental technologists and technicians:

  • design, prepare and fabricate dentures and dental devices as prescribed by dentists and other specialists

Dental laboratory assistants:

  • assist dental technologists and technicians in preparing and fabricating dentures and other dental devices
Common job titles
  • assistant, dental laboratory
  • bench - dental laboratory
  • CDT (certified dental technician)
  • RDT (registered dental technician)
  • RDT (registered dental technologist)
  • setter, denture
  • assistant, dental laboratory
  • bench - dental laboratory
  • CDT (certified dental technician)
  • ceramist, dental / ceramic denture caster
  • finisher, denture / denture framework
  • maker, dental prosthesis

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$49,220

Source: 2019 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2019 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

Source: 2019 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2019 - 2024
  • 2024 - 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 440

  • 2019
  • 2024
  • 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
31.1%
140 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
68.9%
310 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2019:
30
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
4.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
20
Kootenay
Employment in 2019:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
N/A
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2019:
810
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
1.1%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
320
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2019:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
N/A
Northeast
Employment in 2019:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
N/A
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2019:
100
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
2.0%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
60
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2019:
120
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
40

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants:

  • Design, fabricate or repair dental devices including full or partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants
  • Prepare plaster models and moulds from dental impressions
  • Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays
  • Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases
  • Pack plastic material in moulds to form full or partial dentures
  • Mould wax over denture set-up to form full contours of artificial gums
  • Make orthodontic bands from gold, silver, stainless steel or other metals
  • Finish metal framework of dentures and polish and buff dentures to obtain natural finish
  • 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 perform administrative functions for the dental laboratory.

Work environment

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.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

1,000 workers are employed
55% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Health Care and Social Assistance:
64%
Manufacturing:
34%
Retail Trade:
1%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2016 Census

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Dental laboratory bench workers may progress to dental technologists and technicians positions with training, experience and registration.

Additional resources

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Profile last updated:
January 12, 2021
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