Becoming a Master Dental Technologist

TESTIMONIAL by  Imtiyaz Osman
Cosmetic Ceramist Specialist.
Department of Dentistry - (MBC J70)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Estheticzone@gmail.com


There have been so many aspects of the ASMDT course that has made a profound influence on me and my workmanship as a dental technician. However, if there is one single discipline that has procured a lasting impression among the others are: ANTERIOR GUIDANCE AND POSTERIOR DISCLUSION. This principle is the key that opened so many doors to understanding occlusion and its related components. It has all been made aware to me from the very first step-by-step procedure on the functional occlusion wax up exercise. Each morning I wake up curiously aware of my own occlusion with a good length of time examining my dentition in the bathroom mirror. A sight quite hilarious to my wife, I must say.
My understanding of the TMJ was “just another ball and socket joint in the body. So what’s the big deal?” from this point in time however, I must admit that I have a healthy respect for it after understanding its role and function in the stomatognathic environment. During my training as a dental technician, the site of a pantograph was very intimidating and I considered it as an untouchable apparatus that should only be handled by select academics of our training institution. I now regret the approach.
Working in commercial laboratories for most of my career, 90% of all crown and bridge cases I had constructed were completed on a regular plain line articulator. For the remainder of the 10% I never paid much attention to the steering mechanisms of a semi adjustable articulator with no consideration of the effect of mandible physiology with its related neuromusculature. With the knowledge I have today, I can confidently say that I can prevent the remake of many failed restorations. This knowledge easily places me miles ahead of my contemporaries.
My next challenge is to convince, teach and make others unlearn all the wrong concepts and ideas that are still implanted at our laboratory.

A Thank you Letter to Vincent V. Alleluia, MDT, CDT, TF, Chairman of Education & CEO, ASMDT

Dear Vincent
Greetings to you. I just returned to work about a week ago and I decided to write you. I approached my supervisor and head of the department and handed him my MDT certificate. He is a prosthodontist and was absolutely thrilled about this course after I explained to him what it was all about.
On the other hand my supervisor who is only a CDT is green with envy right to the bone.
I am writing you to thank you for giving me an opportunity in taking this course and supporting me all the way. In retrospect of the time frame and being a late entrant to ASMDT, I don’t think I would have considered taking this course if you didn’t convince me that I could do it. O.K., it did take a little determination from my side but what really got me through was your tireless support and patience, especially when I asked you the same silly questions over and over again. I thank you for that.
Please convey my best regards to your family, the lovely Sue and all your associates at NYU College of Dentistry.
Imtiyaz Osman

What is a Master Dental Technologist?

by: William Baum, MDT, MDP, CDT
President, Dental Laboratory Association of the State of New York
On faculty at NYU College of Dentistry, CED

A Master Dental Technician has been through an extended course of study provided by the American Society of Master Dental Technologists. This course is compromised of 160 classroom hours, numerous projects in the home laboratory and a significant amount home study. It concludes with a three-part exam. In order to attain a Master Dental Technologist Certificate one must pass a written exam, complete a full mouth wax up to course standards and be examined orally on the contents of the program.
The emphasis of this learning experience is to teach experienced technicians anatomy and physiology of the
Stomatognathic system, to introduce occlusion and occlusal theory and to practice putting this information to
use. Along the way participants are imparted much information including exposure to terms and procedures of
which they are not typically exposed to. Students of this program are taught how the system works and how
the clinician may obtain the necessary information from the patient. They then can fully understand how to
utilize this information in the laboratory.
When students complete this program they have learned much, but leave with more questions than they
arrived with. They now realize that there are answers out there, and they have learned how to find them. The
graduates are more prepared to continue their professional development in advanced courses. They have the
background needed to attend programs such as Dawson, Kois, LVI, etc.
The Master Dental Technologist Program is a career changing experience for all that have completed it.
Dentists working with MDTs attest to the positive affects this affiliation brings to their daily practice of dentistry.
Dialogue between technician and clinician is on a higher level and fosters a significantly improved team
relationship. All of this is truly beneficial to the entire dental team.

Some of the 30 graduates of our 2007-08 program