Technician Certification: What It Means And Why You Should Care

Many dentists are unaware that, in 47 states, dental technicians work without minimum standards and governmental regulation. Most dentists have a reasonable expectation that the professionals that they work with are competent. But how can you be sure? How do you determine competency?

Assessing skill and competency

Dentists use different measures to determine a dental technician’s skill. Some consider the fit of the final prosthesis, some consider the function, and still others consider the form but most dentists consider all of these. Yet, regardless of the importance of these three variables, they only measure skill, not competency.

A skilled technician has the ability to create a prosthesis with an appropriate look and fit, which are good traits for a restoration; however, a competent technician incorporates those necessary skills with the ability to work with the appropriate materials for the prescribed restoration, the knowledge to critique the process along the way, and the means to provide quality control. The competent technician knows not only how prosthesis is created, but why certain materials are used, and under what circumstances the materials will best perform.

The combination of competency and skill is invaluable to you. Having your reasonable expectations confirmed can only come in one of two forms either through trial and error on your part or by working with a certified dental technician (CDT).

What is certification?

Currently there are nearly 7,000 CDT’s. The CDT designation awards a national certification that meets international standards through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Technicians are required to meet prerequisites, including education or an equivalent amount of training, in order to even sit for the CDT examinations.

The certification process is comprised of three tests:

   1. A written comprehensive examination that tests the technician’s knowledge and broad-based comprehension of all disciplines, including anatomy, vocabulary, occlusion, material science, and morphology.
   2. An in-depth, written specialty examination on one of the five areas of specialty: crown and bridge, ceramics, partial dentures, complete dentures, or orthodontics.
   3. A hands-on practical examination, which tests the technician’s skill level and his or her ability to manufacture a specific prosthesis in a sequence and in a predetermined amount of time. This examination tests the technician’s knowledge of his or her discipline and knowledge of working with appropriate materials and devices. It also assesses the technician’s understanding and recognition of developing successful processes in order to achieve predictable results.

CDT’s commit themselves to career-long learning by meeting the requirement of completing 12 hours of continuing education each year, which enables them to retain the knowledge and skills that helped them achieve certification. In addition, certified dental technicians build new knowledge and work to master new techniques to stay ahead of the curve and provide you with the most reliable restorations.

Utilizing a competent, skilled, certified technician can save you time and money. The more knowledgeable a technician is, the more likely it is that he or she will manufacture a quality restoration and select the appropriate materials for long-term wear. This results in fewer remakes and happier patients for you.

Myths about certification

Certification is not the same as licensure or registration. The CDT program is a voluntary certification program that is not required in most U.S. states. The certification of dental technicians is required in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas, where certification programs are mandated to provide the dentists with the reassurance that they are working with a competent dental technician.

While other states have considered requiring certification for dental technicians, it is often an emotional topic. Many dental organizations equate mandated certification with licensure or registration and are concerned that requiring dental technicians to become certified will raise laboratory prices or reduce the number of technicians. In fact, neither is the case the three states that have mandated certification are proof positive.

The primary reason for the emotional response to mandated certification is likely the friction that organized dentistry has had with the dental hygiene profession over the years. Dental technician certification is different for two main reasons: dental laboratory technicians are not seeking to practice dentistry and they are not seeking to work autonomously with the patient without a licensed dentist. Certified dental technicians recognize and respect dentists and their practices, and the vast majority of dental laboratory technicians work in independent dental laboratories and not in a dentist’s office.

Although dentists write the prescriptions, many dentists do not specify the materials, leaving it to the discretion of the dental technician. Working with a certified technician is the only way to ensure competency. Certified dental technicians are dedicated to working for you and with you to improve the health and image of your patient. CDT’s allow you to save time and money, and they act as a knowledgeable resource on new technology and a wide array of ever-changing materials.

To locate a certified dental technician in your area, visit www.nbccert.org.