Army MOS · Medical

N5 Dental Laboratory Specialist

Overview

The Dental Laboratory Specialist designation identifies positions requiring soldiers qualified to perform basic and intermediate dental laboratory procedures. These positions require qualifications in highly specialized dental laboratory procedures.

Core Skills

  • dental laboratory fabrication techniques
  • precision hand tooling and finishing
  • digital dental imaging interpretation
  • CAD/CAM dental design basics
  • infection control and sterilization procedures
  • quality assurance and inspection
  • inventory and materials management
  • technical documentation and recordkeeping
  • attention to detail and fine motor skills

Civilian Software & Tools

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Bookkeeping software

Civilian Career Paths

  • Dental
  • Medical Laboratory
  • Clinical Technician

Training & Development

Getting Started

  • Recognized Graduate (RG)
  • Dental Support Technician Certification (DSTC)
  • Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

Career Growth

  • Certified Dental Technician (CDT)
  • Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) · Funded · Promotion points
  • Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)

What the Work Involves

  • Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
  • Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
  • Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
  • Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
  • Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.

Related Occupations

  • Medical Appliance Technicians
  • Dental Assistants
  • Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
  • Medical Equipment Repairers

Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a high school diploma and some on-the-job training.

Defense contractor jobs for N5

Equivalent Roles in Other Branches

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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