Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Dental technicians make and repair crowns, bridges and other dental appliances using prescriptions and impressions taken by a dentist. They use a wide range of materials such as gold, porcelain and plastic.  
Dental technicians need to have a detailed knowledge of the make up and use of these materials, in order to design and make dental appliances.  
 
Once qualified and experienced, dental technicians may specialise in orthodontics, conservation, prosthodontics or maxillo-facial work. Orthodontic appliances are made to correct irregularities in the position of teeth within the jaws, improve the patient's appearance and prevent problems later in life.  
 
In conservation technology, materials such as ceramics are used to construct both crowns that restore natural teeth, and bridges to replace missing ones.  
 
If a patient has lost several teeth in the same part of the mouth, the dentist may not be able to use a bridge and so dentures are prescribed. This specialism is known as prosthodontics. Technicians working in this area must take great care to make sure that the dentures fit precisely and look attractive. This work mainly takes place in laboratories.  
 
Technicians who specialise in maxillo-facial work are based in hospitals. They work under the direct supervision of a dental surgeon. They design and manufacture appliances that restore the faces of patients who have been injured or who have undergone extensive facial surgery. Appliances need to be constructed in such a way as to improve appearance and the patient's ability to eat and speak. This is a highly skilled specialism requiring advanced training.  
 
Dental technicians may also manufacture splints that support the patient's jaw so that the surgeon is able to operate. The number of technicians employed in this aspect of the work is relatively small.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
• Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
• Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatus.
• Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
• Place tooth models on apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
• Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
• Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
• Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
• Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
• Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.

Further Information

• Dental Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

To become a qualified Dental Technician the applicant must take a full time 3 year Diploma Course generally in Dental Technology at Trinity College, Dublin or otherwise. This course is designed to develop in each student a high level of understanding and technical skills in all the basic disciplines of Dental technology; to have an understanding of modern materials science; to train in the technology of accurately casting dental alloys, the fabrication of porcelain restorations and the creation of high quality cosmetic artefacts.There are pathways in Dental & Healthcare you may consider on your journey. 

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Healthcare Support, Dental Nursing, Supervisory Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Dental Nursing, Medical & Dental Reception, Medical, Dental and Legal Secretary Studies at NFQ Level 5 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Dental Technology, Dental Nursing, Dental Science, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Dental Examination, Dental Public Health, Management, Dental Science - Research, Dental Surgery NFQ level 9

Irish Dental Association 

Irish Dental Council 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €42k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• Irish Dental Association

  • Unit 2, Leopardstown Office Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 0072
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Dublin Dental University Hospital

  • Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.
  • (01) 612 7391
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Dental Health Foundation Ireland

  • PO Box 12343Dublin 2
  • (01) 672 8870
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here

• Dental Council of Ireland

  • 57 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
  • (01) 676 2069
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here