Dental Lab Technology

The Dental Lab program* teaches students how to construct replacements for natural teeth which have been lost either by disease, accident or congenital abnormalities. Students learn to fabricate dental prosthetic appliances using various specialized hand instruments and machines and materials such as gypsum compounds, precious and semi-precious metals, acrylic, plastic compounds, ceramic, and waxes.

*The Dental Lab program at Hodgson is currently being phased out and is no longer accepting any more students.

Laboratory instruction includes partial and full denture prosthetics, metallurgy, and the chemistry of dental products. Advanced instruction includes fabrication of ceramic restorations, crowns, bridgework, and orthodontic appliances.

PREREQUISITES

Pass a manual dexterity test.

PHYSICAL SKILLS & ABILITIES

See your guidance counselor to learn about physical considerations required for this career program.

ACADEMIC / EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

MATH SKILLS

Perform practical application of fractions, percentages, ratio, and proportion, measurement, logarithms calculator, practical algebra, and essentials of trigonometry. Algebra: Deal with system of real numbers; linear, quadratic, rational, exponential, and inverse functions; related algebraic solution of equations and inequalities; probability and statistical inference. Geometry: Plane and solid and rectangular coordinates.

LANGUAGE / ENGLISH SKILLS

Read newspapers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, and encyclopedias. Prepare business letters, summaries, and reports, using prescribed format.

SCIENCE SKILLS

Demonstrate technical competencies in the interpretation of scientific processes and principles, utilization of measurements, and operation of specific scientific equipment. Be able to demonstrate competencies in the interpretation of scientific process and principles of body science, chemistry, and scientific equipment.

POST-SECONDARY CAREER PATHS

Two-year training in a junior or community college. Six year advancement in Doctor of Dentistry degree.