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Dental Laboratory Assistants

OaSIS code 33100.02

Dental laboratory assistants assist dental technologists and technicians in preparing and fabricating dentures and other dental devices. Dental laboratory assistants are employed in dental laboratories.

Overview

Also known as

  • Dental technician assistant
  • Denture wax pattern former

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare plaster models and moulds from dental impressions
  • Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays
  • Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases
  • Pack plastic material in moulds to form full or partial dentures
  • Mould wax over denture set-up to form full contours of artificial gums
  • Make orthodontic bands from gold, silver, stainless steel or other metals
  • Finish metal framework of dentures and polish and buff dentures to obtain natural finish.

Additional information

  • Dental laboratory assistants may progress to dental technologist and technician positions with training, experience and registration.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
  • Dental technologists and technicians (32112)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

33 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Sub-major group

331 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Minor group

3310 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Unit group

33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants

Occupational profile

33100.02 – Dental Laboratory Assistants

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Assisting and Caring for Others
3 - Moderate Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level
Handling and Moving Objects
3 - Moderate Level
Applying New Knowledge
2 - Low Level
Clerical Activities
2 - Low Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Coordinating or Leading Others
Importance
3 - Important
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Dental laboratories

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level
Finger Dexterity
4 - High Level
Near Vision
4 - High Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level
Colour Perception
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Product Design
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
5 - Extremely important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important
Active Learning
3 - Important
Adaptability
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Dental laboratory assistants usually require secondary school and up to two years of on-the-job training.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Biology
1 - Basic Level
Clerical
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level
Physical Health
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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