Did you know that people go to school for eight years to become dentists? If you still want to be part of the dental field and complete your education in a fraction of the time, you can become a dental assistant or dental laboratory technician at Florida National University.

What is the difference between a Dental Assistant and a Dental lab Technician?

Although both careers pertain to the dental field, their academic training and professional functions exhibit marked distinctions.

A Dental Assistant is a vital member of the dental team who works at the dental office alongside dentists to support patient care. Their responsibilities typically include tasks such as preparing patients for dental procedures, sterilizing instruments, assisting during procedures, taking dental x-rays, processing lab work, scheduling appointments, and providing chairside assistance to the dentist.

Alternatively, the Dental Lab Technician, is a highly skilled professional specializing in the fabrication of dental prosthetics and other devices used in dentistry, such as crowns, bridges, partial and complete dentures. Dental technicians employ a combination of manual dexterity and technical skills, with both analog and digital equipment to create devices that are functional and aesthetically pleasing.

What is the Difference Between Dental Assisting & Dental Laboratory Technician Training?

Here are some key differences between dental assistant and dental laboratory technician training programs:

Program Length and training received:

The Dental Assisting Certificate program includes coursework requirements of 18 credit hours in 11 courses. The dental assistant diploma program can be completed in 8 months rather than years. The Dental Laboratory Technician offers a more robust level of education in dental anatomy, prosthodontic tech, dentures, crowns, bridges, and porcelain. Both lead to highly rewarding careers in the dental industry.

Both DEA and DLT are higher education and post-secondary programs. Each includes only the necessary information to succeed in each role. The Dental assistant is a short 18 credit program that grants a college certificate and the Dental lab technician have four different programs to choose from, such as:

  • Full and partial Dentures Dental Lab technician: 30 credits (8 months/Diploma) This program offers technical training and theory in the areas of Full and Partial Dentures. FNU awards a diploma upon completion of the program.
  • Crown and Bridge and porcelain Dental Lab Technician: 30 Credits (8 months/Diploma) This program offers technical training and theory in the areas of Crown and Bridge, and Porcelain. Prerequisite: to be a graduate of D/T-Full and partial denture program or have proven empirical or practical knowledge in Full or Partial Dentures Techniques. FNU awards a diploma upon completion of the program.(/li>
  • Dental laboratory technician; 60 credits (16 months/Diploma) The Dental Technician is the highly skilled craftsman who designs and constructs the devices and replacements for natural teeth.
  • Associate degree in Dental Laboratory technology: 79 credits (proximally 20 months/AS Degree) This program offers technical training and theory in the areas of Full and Partial Dentures and Crown & Bridge and Porcelain. The Dental Technologist is a highly skilled craftsman who designs and constructs the devices and replacements for our natural teeth. The program includes a fifteen-credit-hour component of general education/liberal arts courses.

If you are interested in the Dental Laboratory Technology program or Dental Assistant program, let Florida National University answer any questions. Contact us today to learn more today.