Dental technician

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I have my own company called Alanne Hammaslaboratorio, where I work as an entrepreneur and dental technician. We design and manufacture orthodontic appliances, i.e. devices used to straighten teeth. My company has four employees, some of whom work part-time.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

When I had to apply for a study place after upper secondary school, the economy was in recession. I applied to the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki and Valtion hammasteknikko-opisto. I could not get into the university. There were a huge number of applicants to the Valtion hammasteknikko-opisto, so I knew that it would be difficult to get a study place. I had practically no idea what education I was applying for. On the way to the entrance examination, I asked my friend if they knew what a dental technician was.

However, the entrance examinations were like made for me, as they included tasks measuring manual skills and intelligence. I got a study place and ended up in a profession that suits me. Over the years, I have specialised in the manufacture of orthodontic appliances, and my company is currently the only one in Finland manufacturing them.

Describe your typical working day or week.

The manufacture of an orthodontic appliance begins by receiving a mould from the dentist, made from the client’s mouth. I use the mould to cast an identical plaster model. The plaster model is handmade with a suitable orthodontic appliance that must fit perfectly in the client's mouth.

I manufacture several appliances during the day. It can take anything from seven minutes to four hours to make one appliance. Fortunately, I have employees manufacturing the appliances with me.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work in a dental laboratory where I am exposed to noise, dust, and chemicals. All tasks must follow safety instructions to reduce the harm.

I work 6–7 hours a day, which means that I have slightly shorter working hours than average, but I am flexible about this if necessary. The good thing about this profession is that you can work at any time of the day.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

The profession of dental technician is suitable for people who are good at drawing or like doing ceramics, for example. The work requires good concentration skills, and it is often lonely, which is why many people who perceive themselves as introvert like it.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best thing about working as a dental technician is to get to work with your hands. I feel I am good at my job, and that is the result of years of practice.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

In this job, time and money dictate the pace of work. If you cannot make good appliances quickly, it is hard to manage and succeed.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a dental technician?

A dental technician is a rare profession, and few dental technicians work with orthodontic appliances, as most manufacture false teeth.

This profession requires practising and gradually increasing professional skills. At the beginning of your career, you may feel that you do not know enough when you understand how difficult it is to work as a dental technician. But don't give up.

How do you see the future of your profession?

With new technology, the manufacture of orthodontic appliances will develop in the future, but traditional manual work is still needed.