Dental Lab Technician Instructor

National Association of Dental Laboratories; Cambridge Springs (Crawford County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

National Association of Dental Laboratories seeks a Dental Laboratory Technician Instructor to train incarcerated individuals in dental lab skills, oversee daily lab operations, and ensure quality and safety standards are met.

The role combines technical fabrication expertise with instructional coaching to prepare participants for employment after release within a Correctional Industries program.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a dental lab and fabricating dentures, partials, mouthguards and other appliances.
• Ability to teach, coach, and evaluate learners with diverse skill levels.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on vocational training in dental lab skills to incarcerated individuals.
• Develop lesson plans and training modules aligned with NADL/ADA standards.
• Demonstrate equipment use and supervise practice and production tasks.
• Inspect work quality and ensure clinical specifications are met.
• Enforce safety, infection control, and inventory procedures.
• Coordinate workflow and maintain production documentation.

Skills

Dental lab experience

Teaching / coaching

Documentation & organization

Tools

CAD/CAM

3D printing

Scanning

Job description

The DentalLaboratory Technician Instructor provides hands-on vocational training to incarcerated individuals within a Correctional Industries (Cl) program. This role combines technical expertise in dental laboratory procedures with instructional skill, workplace coaching, and a commitment to rehabilitation. The instructoroverseesdaily lab operations, teaches industry-standardtechniques, ensures product quality, and prepares participants for successful employment upon release.

KeyResponsibilities

• VocationalInstruction:Deliverstructuredtrainingindentallabskillsincludingimpressions, modelfabrication, waxing, casting, finishing, anddigitalworkflows.
• Curriculum Development: Createlessonplans,competency checklists, andtraining modulesalignedwithindustrystandards(NADL,ADA).
• Hands-OnTraining: Demonstrateproperuseofequipment,tools,andmaterials; supervise participants astheypracticeandcompleteproductiontasks.
• Quality Control: Inspect workproducts foraccuracy, fit,andfinish;ensure all dental appliances meet commercial andclinical specifications.
• Safety & Compliance:Enforce OSHA, infection control, andfacility safety protocols;maintain secure tool andmaterial inventories.
• Production Management: Coordinateworkflow,meetproduction deadlines,and maintain documentation forCl contracts andcustomers.
• Participant Development: Mentor incarcerated workers in employability skills, professionalism, teamwork, and workplace ethics.
• Collaboration:Workwithcorrectionalstaff,Clsupervisors, andexternalpartnerstosupportprogramgoals.

RequiredQualifications

• Technician experience (typically 3-5years) working inadental lab.Individuals should have experience fabricatingdentures, partials, mouthguards, andother dentalappliances fordental offices.
• Knowledgeofdental materials,equipment,andfabricationprocesses.
• Abilitytoteach,coach,andevaluatelearnerswithdiverseskilllevels.
• Strongcommunication,organization, anddocumentation skills.
• Abilitytoworkinacorrectionalenvironmentandfollowallfacilityrules.

PreferredQualifications

• Prior experience in adult education, vocational training, or correctional education.
• Experience withdigitaldentistry(CAD/CAM, 3Dprinting, scanning)- Optional
• Familiarity with trauma-informed teaching and reentry-focused workforcedevelopment.