Dental Technicians
Job description
These individuals design, make, or repair dentures. They are employed by dentists, denturists, or doctors. This group includes dental lab supervisors and managers. They are employed in:
- Commercial dental laboratories
- Hospitals
- Dental or orthodontic clinics
- University dental faculties
- Government agencies
- Dental manufacturing companies
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Equipment, machinery, tools
Main tasks
- Apply the procedures for making dentures, braces, mandibular guide flange prosthesis, and sleep apnea treatment devices:
- Prepare casts and moulds from dental impressions.
- Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases.
- Dab plastics into moulds to form prostheses.
- Cast wax on plates to form the contour of artificial gums.
- Make orthodontic bands.
- Raise the shade of natural teeth.
- Work from a signed prescription provided by dentists, denturists, or doctors.
- Finalize the metal frame of the prostheses and polish them.
- Discuss problematic cases with dentists or other specialists.
- Train and supervise other technicians or assistants.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in techniques de prothèses dentaires
Placement rate: 92.9%
7.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des techniciens et techniciennes dentaires du Québec (OTTDQ [Quebec Order of Dental Technicians]).
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Reading comprehension
- Information processing
- Quality control analysis
- Time management
- Critical thought
- Active learning
- Active listening
- Result evaluation
- Oral expression
- Monitoring operations
Abilities
- Digital dexterity
- Near vision
- Control accuracy
- Hand-arm stability
- Visualization
- Information organization
- Selective attention
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Manual dexterity
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Awareness of issues
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Verbal skills
- Colour perception and distinction
- Perception speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of production and treatment
- Versatility
- Sense of initiative
- Attention to detail
- Tolerance to stress
- Sense of observation
- Timeliness
- Knowledge of design
Interests
- Make, build, install
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Artistic
- People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Dental technologists and technicians (CNP 32112)
Skill type
Health
Last update: January 29, 2026