Dental Ceramist Technician

**Job Summary**:
Dental laboratory technicians manufacture dental prosthetics including bridges, crowns and dentures according to specifications dentist send to them. They work in specialties that include orthodontic appliances crown and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures or ceramics.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:
1. Acrylic and Ceramic Procedures:
1.1. Read lab request, and examine models and impressions in order to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.

1.2. Construct prostheses by following the dentist’s prescription. Polishing and finishing of the appliance prior to its being placed in the patient’s mouth by the dentist.

1.3. Create a model of the patient’s mouth by pouring plaster or stone into a dental impression and allowing it to set.

1.4. Place tooth models on apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient’s jaw to evaluate functionality of model.

1.5. Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists’ specifications.

1.6. Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays for use. Mold wax over denture set-ups in order to form the full contours of artificial gums.

1.7. Fabricate, alter, and repair dental devices such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, and appliances for straightening teeth. Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, and missing teeth in order to repair dentures.

1.8. Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusions using articulators and calipers.

1.9. Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic materials and pour materials into molds or over frameworks in order to form dental prostheses.

1.10. Replaces partial or total loss of natural teeth by constructing partial or full dentures (metal and non-metal). Restores natural teeth by fabricating crowns and bridges, inlay, onlay, and cast post. Corrects dental irregularities by manufacturing fixed or removable appliances.

1.11. Completes implantology procedures by fabricating prostheses to fit implants the dentist places directly into the patient’s jawbone.

1.12. Replaces missing facial and body tissues due to injury, diseases, or developmental abnormality by fabricating maxilla-facial prostheses or obturator.

1.13. Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.

1.14. Remove excess metal or porcelain, and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.

1.16. Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.

1.17. Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products using soldering irons and hand tools.

1.18. Train and supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers. Document actions by completing forms, monthly and annual reports, logs, and records. Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes. Do the necessary and audit procedure for any accreditation procedure of the hospital.

1.19. Enhances dental laboratory reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing and new and different request; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

1.20. Utilizes and conserves supplies and equipment by completing plaster casting, electro-spot welding, metal casting, metal polishing, wax modeling, ceramics, wire bending, electroplating and sandblasting, maintaining supplies inventories, keeping equipment operating

2. Managerial:
2.1. Managerial responsibility of his/her individual practice, with the objective of establishing the highest possible standards of ethics and patient care.

2.2. Responsible for creation and maintenance of a positive working relation within the Department.

2.3. To promote the safety and well-being of patients, visitors and Staff members

2.4. Work to expand the patient base and financial continuity of the Department.

2.5. Develop and encourage quality assurance initiatives and maintain the best standards of care and patient satisfaction in conjunction with the Department Head.

2.6. To participate in and provide patient and family education

3. Knowledge, skills and abilities required:
3.1. Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.

3.2. Knowledge of patient screening, charting and medical history procedures and documentation.

3.3. Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.

3.4. Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures. Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques.

3.5. Work with the Ministry of Health, private sector organizations and individuals to augment the quality of healthcare delivered and community exposure of the Department.

3.6. Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatm