Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw.
Work Activities
-
Measure and take impressions of patients' jaws and teeth to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses, using face bows, dental articulators, recording devices, and other materials.
-
Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
-
Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
-
Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
-
Collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
-
Repair, reline, or rebase dentures.
-
Use bonding technology on the surface of the teeth to change tooth shape or to close gaps.
-
Place veneers onto teeth to conceal defects.
-
Treat facial pain and jaw joint problems.
-
Bleach discolored teeth to brighten and whiten them.
-
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
-
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
-
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
-
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
-
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
-
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
-
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
-
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Education Doctoral or professional degree
- Work Experience No work experience
- Training Internship/residency
-
Looking for technical training programs?
Check out these programs:
Investigative: People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.They do well at jobs that need:
-
Attention to Detail
-
Dependability
-
Integrity
-
Self Control
-
Persistence
-
Stress Tolerance
-
Orthodontic pliers
-
Dental mouth prop or bite block or gag
-
Dental impression trays
-
Dental articulators
-
Crown or bridge removers
-
Medical software
-
Graphics or photo imaging software
