The Need for Dental Technology

by Vincent V. Alleluia, MDT, CDT, TF

In the early history of Dentistry, dental technicians were nonexistent. The dental practitioner would fabricate replacement parts for the missing areas of the mouth. As dentistry progressed in time, a “mechanic” was utilized to make the parts for the practitioner. Then, as replacement parts became more sophisticated, skilled “technicians” evolved to satisfy the needs of the practitioner.
This progression from dental mechanic to dental technician defines dental technology. Since 1962, the National Board for Certification has provided the service of qualifying technicians for certification. Qualified dental technicians need to be an integral part of the dental team and participate in the treatment plan of the patient. The advanced knowledge gained by an M.D.T. qualifies the technologist as a valuable partner to the dental team.
Dental societies are behind the times with their attitude that dental technicians should be subservient to dentists and this attitude is reinforced in dental schools. Few societies recognize the technician’s talent and the needs of the dental team, welcoming the joint relations with excellent success.

The Hand-Me-Down Generation 
Going back in time, as in all other fields, dental students were influenced by their close relationship with their mentor. So it has been with dental technology. In the beginning there were no schools to properly train the technician and they learned on the job. Some were taught well and some were not. It takes many years of apprenticeship to achieve the talent of producing acceptable replacement parts for the oral environment. Dental technology came into existence to advance the dental mechanic to dental technician. To identify this progression and talent, the N.B.C. tests and registers technicians for recognition.
The American Society of Master Dental Technologists began a program in 1973, teaching lab technicians and elevating them to a level where they are recognized as a “partner” with the dental practitioner in all phases of dental prosthetic needs.
New titles need to evolve, recognizing and motivating future technologists. Technicians need to move from C.D.T. to M.D.T. and finally to Dental Prosthologist to keep abreast of the expanding needs of the dental profession. The dental profession can not expand without qualified technologists. The American Society of Master Dental Technologists provides the necessary training to keep the technician motivated and the dental industry desirable.

Benefits of Dental Technology Schools
It takes many years of on-the-job training to understand material science and terminology. Some technicians are suppressed in their progress to advance in order to remain simply a laborer. Most schools with a two-year dental technology program compress many years of comprehending materials, terminology and fabrication of replacement parts for the oral environment within a short time period.
To maintain the ever-expanding dental industry, dental technology schools must also be an integral part of the practitioner’s team to keep up-to-date with new technology, materials and the needs of the industry. On-the-job training definitely limits the technician to simply a “bench worker” with no intention of elevating the technician to a higher level. The most important question in the dental industry is how to motivate the talent needed to serve and to survive in the future.

Transition from Dental Technician to Entrepreneur
As technicians progress, they eventually seek independence by opening their own laboratory. Many successful lab owners, who started from their garage, basement or spare room, realize an unforeseen challenge. Operating a business requires more than talent to produce a tooth. It is understanding the necessities of overhead, maintaining their accounts and adding new accounts. The wearing of two hats, one as a technologist and the other as a businessperson, requires talent to stay profitable as an independent lab.
This transition for the average technician is difficult. Taking ones craft to a business venture does not appeal to most technicians. The majority of technicians prefer working at the bench rather than working a business. Many technicians have been successful because continuing education is an integral part of their success.

What is Needed to Move Out-of-the-Box
A dental lab owner is confronted with many challenges to stay in business with no limit as to expansion.
With offshore labs infiltrating the market, it is possible for quality labs to provide low end products in their
business and, if approached properly, provide high end as well as low end prosthetics. The in-box concept provides conventional crown and bridgework and average prosthetics, while the out-of-the-box concept is the labs high-end dentistry.
Function and aesthetics are most important in the services to the practitioner. On all mouth reconstruction
cases, the dentist must partner with a qualified lab that separates itself from work being fabricated offshore.
So our recommendation is, if you are planning to go out-of-the-box, get the most education possible so
you are skilled to provide the high-end services. As an M.D.T. you are competent in providing the full range of services and partner with the practitioner at the same time.