Perspective Tech Looking for Advice

gtenglert · 02-20-2008, 06:43 PM

Hello, I am looking to become a Dental Lab Tech. I first found out about this through a Dentist friend of mine who thought I would really like it. I am good with my hands and made lots of small intricate parts for vintage guitars by hand as well as with my desktop CNC milling machine (very similar to a Ceric I’m told). The only big negative I have discovered so far is the threat of everyone going to overseas labs to cut cost.

I am wondering what advice anyone could offer to me or someone in my position. Especially the ones “If I were to do it over again I would have done??????”

I toured a local full service lab with my Dentist friend but once they realized I wanted to go to school and get certified their whole attitude towards me changed. Come to find out this lab had one certified tech and about 10 or so people working off her license. I want to get certified for sure and have applied to an ADA accredited program in Lexington KY. Has anybody out there had any experience with the program in Lexington?
I am all ears and would love to hear any input you have on the subject.
Thanks
Gene

labdude · 02-20-2008, 07:02 PM

looking back, what I would do differently, if I knew then what I know now.
I would have started my own lab when I was 17. Already been working in a lab for a full year. Now that is only with 20 20 hindsight. I would not advise this be the course for people to take.

Certification is an interesting topic. The lab I worked for had no certified techs.
I am not a certified tech.
I do not put down the certification of others, I think it is just fine if it is what you want.
One of the many choices you will make.
I have been doing ortho tech work for 39 years.

Try to start as soon as possible, don't waste time if you feel something is questionable time wise, look twice and closely at it.
Overseas labs will always be there. Don't fear them. If you produce quailty on time work with a good attitude, you will do fine.

That all being said, Now you can no longer say "No one told me when to run, I missed the starting gun". RUN!
Mike.

TheLabGuy · 02-21-2008, 08:00 AM

That's great advice Mike............RUN my young jedi........be a force to be reckoned with. Just keep in mind, the more you'll learn, the more ill-equipped you may feel, it's a natural response, but try to learn something from everyone. Oh yeah....Welcome to Dental Lab Network.

gtenglert · 02-23-2008, 09:50 PM

I am anxious to get started however the program doesn't start till the fall. I want to get certified so I have the option to have my own lab. I am guessing you are grandfathered in since you have been at this for 39 years? I know of a tech in KY who fell under that.

It seems to me the advantage US labs will always have it the turnaround time. The scary part is I have seen some very quality items from other parts of the world, and a lot of junk.

I wonder if anybody here has attended the program in Lexington KY or knows anything about it?

Thanks
Gene

TheLabGuy · 02-23-2008, 10:33 PM

Gene, you live in one of the few states that requires you have a CDT license to own a dental laboratory. Most states do not require this.

labdude · 02-24-2008, 06:13 PM

Hi Gene,
Rob is right. Only a few states require CDT. I started in California, then moved up to Oregon to slow down some.

Something you might consider doing is aquireing smaller type items you will need for your lab. Store them, they will be nice to have when you open for yourself.
You ever here of Dave Ramsey??? He is in Tenn. Has a great bunch of financial ideas. On most radio stations out your way. I get him on XM. Or just go to daveramsey.com.
Do what ever you can while you wait for the CDT program to start. Run Dude!
Mike.

TheLabGuy · 02-25-2008, 12:22 PM

I heard once it was 11 states that require CDT license to own and/or operate a dental laboratory. I know this to be true of Kentucky, Texas, and South Carolina, only becuase of personal experience and I currently do work in these states. As for the other 8 states, not sure who they are, maybe some of you do.

labdude · 02-25-2008, 01:29 PM

Hi Rob,
I just tried to Google the states for requirement. Been searching for 25 minutes, no results showing states. I must go to work now. Maybe someone else knows.
Mike.

gtenglert · 03-02-2008, 04:27 PM

Hello,
I really don’t know what all I need at this point so I will prob wait till I start classes to acquire equipment. I figured that may also help out with deciding if I like a particular model etc. We also have to buy a kit for the class that has many of the tools we will need when we start work.

I have heard Dave Ramsey a few times on the radio but didn’t know he was on XM I will have to check out the web site for station info. He does have a lot of good advice.

I am actually in the (slow) process of moving back to KY. My wife wants to move closer to her family. We are both from Louisville originally (still stuck in one of the few states that requires licensure).

Does anyone know the optimal Dentist to Lab ratio? I have been looking at places in KY and was wondering. I think I will post a new topic for this question?
Thanks
Gene

02-20-2008, 06:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
gtenglert Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0 Rating: 0% (0) Rep Power: 0	Perspective Tech Looking for Advice Hello, I am looking to become a Dental Lab Tech. I first found out about this through a Dentist friend of mine who thought I would really like it. I am good with my hands and made lots of small intricate parts for vintage guitars by hand as well as with my desktop CNC milling machine (very similar to a Ceric I’m told). The only big negative I have discovered so far is the threat of everyone going to overseas labs to cut cost. I am wondering what advice anyone could offer to me or someone in my position. Especially the ones “If I were to do it over again I would have done??????” I toured a local full service lab with my Dentist friend but once they realized I wanted to go to school and get certified their whole attitude towards me changed. Come to find out this lab had one certified tech and about 10 or so people working off her license. I want to get certified for sure and have applied to an ADA accredited program in Lexington KY. Has anybody out there had any experience with the program in Lexington? I am all ears and would love to hear any input you have on the subject. Thanks Gene

02-21-2008, 08:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheLabGuy Just a Member Crazy Cars Champion! Bassteroids Champion! Minigolf Champion! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 484 Gallery: 0 Rating: 0% (0) Rep Power: 2	That's great advice Mike............RUN my young jedi........be a force to be reckoned with. Just keep in mind, the more you'll learn, the more ill-equipped you may feel, it's a natural response, but try to learn something from everyone. Oh yeah....Welcome to Dental Lab Network. __________________ Semper Fi, Rob http://www.patriotdentallab.com http://www.patrioticthunder.com

02-23-2008, 10:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheLabGuy Just a Member Crazy Cars Champion! Bassteroids Champion! Minigolf Champion! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 484 Gallery: 0 Rating: 0% (0) Rep Power: 2	Gene, you live in one of the few states that requires you have a CDT license to own a dental laboratory. Most states do not require this. __________________ Semper Fi, Rob http://www.patriotdentallab.com http://www.patrioticthunder.com

02-25-2008, 12:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheLabGuy Just a Member Crazy Cars Champion! Bassteroids Champion! Minigolf Champion! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 484 Gallery: 0 Rating: 0% (0) Rep Power: 2	I heard once it was 11 states that require CDT license to own and/or operate a dental laboratory. I know this to be true of Kentucky, Texas, and South Carolina, only becuase of personal experience and I currently do work in these states. As for the other 8 states, not sure who they are, maybe some of you do. __________________ Semper Fi, Rob http://www.patriotdentallab.com http://www.patrioticthunder.com

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02-20-2008, 07:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
labdude Stellar Patrol Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cascades in Oregon Age: 55 Posts: 926 Gallery: 16 Rating: 100% (4) Rep Power: 2	looking back, what I would do differently, if I knew then what I know now. I would have started my own lab when I was 17. Already been working in a lab for a full year. Now that is only with 20 20 hindsight. I would not advise this be the course for people to take. Certification is an interesting topic. The lab I worked for had no certified techs. I am not a certified tech. I do not put down the certification of others, I think it is just fine if it is what you want. One of the many choices you will make. I have been doing ortho tech work for 39 years. Try to start as soon as possible, don't waste time if you feel something is questionable time wise, look twice and closely at it. Overseas labs will always be there. Don't fear them. If you produce quailty on time work with a good attitude, you will do fine. That all being said, Now you can no longer say "No one told me when to run, I missed the starting gun". RUN! Mike.

02-23-2008, 09:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
gtenglert Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0 Rating: 0% (0) Rep Power: 0	I am anxious to get started however the program doesn't start till the fall. I want to get certified so I have the option to have my own lab. I am guessing you are grandfathered in since you have been at this for 39 years? I know of a tech in KY who fell under that. It seems to me the advantage US labs will always have it the turnaround time. The scary part is I have seen some very quality items from other parts of the world, and a lot of junk. I wonder if anybody here has attended the program in Lexington KY or knows anything about it? Thanks Gene

02-24-2008, 06:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
labdude Stellar Patrol Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cascades in Oregon Age: 55 Posts: 926 Gallery: 16 Rating: 100% (4) Rep Power: 2	Hi Gene, Rob is right. Only a few states require CDT. I started in California, then moved up to Oregon to slow down some. Something you might consider doing is aquireing smaller type items you will need for your lab. Store them, they will be nice to have when you open for yourself. You ever here of Dave Ramsey??? He is in Tenn. Has a great bunch of financial ideas. On most radio stations out your way. I get him on XM. Or just go to daveramsey.com. Do what ever you can while you wait for the CDT program to start. Run Dude! Mike.

02-25-2008, 01:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
labdude Stellar Patrol Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cascades in Oregon Age: 55 Posts: 926 Gallery: 16 Rating: 100% (4) Rep Power: 2	Hi Rob, I just tried to Google the states for requirement. Been searching for 25 minutes, no results showing states. I must go to work now. Maybe someone else knows. Mike.

03-02-2008, 04:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
gtenglert Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0 Rating: 0% (0) Rep Power: 0	Hello, I really don’t know what all I need at this point so I will prob wait till I start classes to acquire equipment. I figured that may also help out with deciding if I like a particular model etc. We also have to buy a kit for the class that has many of the tools we will need when we start work. I have heard Dave Ramsey a few times on the radio but didn’t know he was on XM I will have to check out the web site for station info. He does have a lot of good advice. I am actually in the (slow) process of moving back to KY. My wife wants to move closer to her family. We are both from Louisville originally (still stuck in one of the few states that requires licensure). Does anyone know the optimal Dentist to Lab ratio? I have been looking at places in KY and was wondering. I think I will post a new topic for this question? Thanks Gene