Dental Laboratory Technicians

1. Does this profession require a college degree? If not, do you feel that a college degree should be required? Why or why not?

2. The following are qualities that would be necessary for this profession EXCEPT:

a. good hearing

b. good vision

c. manual dexterity

d. recognition of fine color shadings

3. Would you be able to earn enough money as a dental laboratory technician to sustain the lifestyle of your choice? Discuss why or why not.

4. Describe the job outlook for this profession.

5. Find the hourly wage range of the middle 50% of all dental technicians. Assuming a 40 hour week and two week vacation, calculate the annual earnings for both the highest and lowest hourly wage.

6. Using the assumptions from the previous question, what would be the approximate salary of the highest 10 % of dental laboratory technicians.

7. Utilize your answer to question 4 to predict the number of jobs held by dental laboratory technicians in 2010. (A 4% yearly average increase/decrease is reasonable.)