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Where have all the Technicians
Gone?
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It is intended also to encourage technologist's continuing educationat all levels, especially by local
components; for the exchange of industry news and standards related to the advancement of specialties; offer communication
and education for technologists and Prosthodontists, and reinforce the commitment that both groups share equally in providing
optimal patient-care. But for practical purposes, we cannot rely solely national support alone to solve problems.
Individual technologists can and must play a vital role.
Participating in your local [LIDLA] component, with a view of its strengthening it is a key area. It is your only voice in
organized dentistry. Become active, take advantage of the educational events LIDLA offers; have dialog with your association
officers, guiding them as to what continuing education is most valuable to you. Recruitment of your peers to join you and
strengthen all your skills will add to the rewards you will gain. Also,actively encourage non-lab owner technicians to join
your association and reap its educational rewards and skills thereby. Offer your skills as a Clinician at local meetings, and
participate in the management and quality of your association; the few who do can only provide the tip to the iceberg. But
with you, active volunteers the whole iceberg can be at your hand.
It is vital that we all - ACP, ADA,, NADL, LIDLA and respective local dental associations must work in synergy to resolve
this current crisis. Perhaps this is a time to stress technologist recognition, i.e. registration, licensing or whatever we
feel will increase the stature of our profession - it is worth thought as to what we want in this direction. Info. on
ACP, call Dr. Larry West 520-745-5586. [In part abstracted from ACP Messenger News, Fall 2002, Issue 3; Volume 33]
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To-day, dental students are receiving fewer hands-on clinical experiences in dental technology.This has created dentists
growing dependence on the skills and knowledge of their dental technologist partners. With emphasis being placed on patient
contact, dentists have become used to turning to well trained and intelligent support members - the dental technologist - to
handle laboratory cases, thus making a dentist's work easier, and improving health and quality of their patients lives.
However,the dental lab profession is facing several critical issues today. The number of technicians leaving the profession
is rising, and the applicant pool for future technicians has slowed dramatically resulting in closing of nearly half the
dental technologist training programs since 1963. Without new students to replace the technologists currently in the work
force, the standard of treatment dentists provide for their patients is at risk as well.
The American College of Prosthodontists [ACP] recognizes the crisis, and increased its visibility within the dental
laboratory profession at national level but the real challenge may well be at the local component level. Through the ACP,
Dental Laboratory Committee, chaired by Larry West, DDS, Tucson, AZ, the ACP is taking a more active and supportive role in
the recruitment of students for ADA-accredited and non-accredited technology training programs in the USA. The newly created
ACP Certified Dental Technician Alliance is active implementation, a major attempt for recognition of dental technologists by
organized dentistry those talented and highly skilled technologists who support our dentist's in providing exceptional
patientcare.
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