Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technici
Working Conditions
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians held about 83,500 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians were as follows:
Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
54%
Ambulatory healthcare services
14
Health and personal care stores
11
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians typically work in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated laboratories. Most laboratories are small and employ only a few workers. Some laboratories, however, have as many as several hundred employees. Other technicians work in health and personal care stores or in healthcare facilities.
Technicians may be exposed to health and safety hazards when they handle certain materials, but there is little risk if they follow proper procedures, such as wearing goggles, gloves, or masks. They may spend a great deal of time standing or bending.
Work Schedules
Most dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians work full time.