Orthodontic Lab Technician

Jackson Dental Professionals; Belle Fourche (SD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackson Dental Professionals seeks an Orthodontic Lab Technician for our in-house lab. You will support case management, production, and quality checks for clear aligners and orthodontic appliances, coordinating with doctors to keep cases moving smoothly from planning to delivery.

Responsibilities include tracking active cases, preparing upcoming aligner sets, monitoring timelines, and maintaining an orderly, compliant lab environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Post-secondary education or technical training preferred, but not required.
• Previous dentistry/orthodontics or dental lab experience preferred.
• Must learn new technology and follow detailed lab protocols.

Responsibilities

• Maintain organization and tracking of active clear aligner and orthodontic lab cases.
• Monitor upcoming appointments, aligner sets, refinements, retainers, replacements, and other appliance needs.
• Ensure aligners and appliances are completed, organized, and ready prior to scheduled patient appointments.
• Identify missing information, potential delays, or case concerns and communicate them to the appropriate team member.
• Produce and prepare clear aligners and other orthodontic or orthotic appliances within Jackson Dental's in-house lab.
• Follow doctor prescriptions, established workflows, and lab protocols accurately.
• Complete quality-control checks before cases are released to the clinical team.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and efficient laboratory environment.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Organized

Team collaboration

Communication

CAD/CAM

3D printing

Digital design systems

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Tools

CAD/CAM software

3D printing

Job description

Orthodontic Lab Technician

Department: Orthodontics / In-House Lab
Position: Full-Time
Pay Range: $19.00-$25.00/hour, depending on experience

Role Purpose

The Orthodontic Lab Technician is responsible for supporting the organization, production, and case management of Jackson Dental's orthodontic lab cases.

This position works closely with Jackson Dental's doctors and orthodontic teams to ensure clear aligner cases and other orthodontic and orthotic appliances move efficiently from treatment planning through production and delivery.

The Orthodontic Lab Technician will complete this work within Jackson Dental's in-house laboratory using state-of-the-art technology, digital design systems, and laboratory equipment.

A major focus of this role is maintaining ownership of orthodontic case flow. This includes tracking active cases, preparing upcoming aligner sets and appliances, monitoring timelines, and making sure cases are ready when patients return for treatment.

Primary Responsibilities

Orthodontic Case Management

• Maintain organization and tracking of active clear aligner and orthodontic lab cases.
• Monitor upcoming appointments, aligner sets, refinements, retainers, replacements, and other appliance needs.
• Ensure aligners and appliances are completed, organized, and ready prior to scheduled patient appointments.
• Identify missing information, potential delays, or case concerns and communicate them to the appropriate team member.

Lab Production & Quality

• Produce and prepare clear aligners and other orthodontic or orthotic appliances within Jackson Dental's in-house lab.
• Utilize digital design software, 3D technology, and other laboratory systems.
• Follow doctor prescriptions, established workflows, and lab protocols accurately.
• Complete quality-control checks before cases are released to the clinical team.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and efficient laboratory environment.

Systems & Organization

• Maintain accurate case tracking and production schedules.
• Follow established systems and protocols consistently.
• Anticipate upcoming workload and prioritize cases based on patient appointments and clinical needs.
• Help improve lab organization and workflow as case volume grows.

Team Communication

• Work closely with doctors, orthodontic team members, treatment coordinators, and clinical teams.
• Communicate clearly regarding case status, timelines, concerns, and supply needs.
• Ask for clarification when treatment instructions are unclear rather than making assumptions.
• Help create a consistent and reliable connection between the orthodontic teams and the in-house lab.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Post-secondary education, technical training, or an associate degree or higher preferred, but not required.
• Previous experience in dentistry, orthodontics, dental laboratory work, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, or another detail-oriented technical environment preferred.
• Dental assisting or dental laboratory education or certification is a plus.
• Must demonstrate the ability to learn new technology, follow detailed protocols, and develop a strong working knowledge of orthodontic treatment and laboratory processes.

Core Expectations

The Orthodontic Lab Technician is expected to:

• Be highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Work independently without requiring constant direction.
• Follow established systems, protocols, and doctor prescriptions.
• Manage multiple cases and deadlines at the same time.
• Communicate proactively and follow through on responsibilities.
• Recognize when something does not appear correct and seek clarification before proceeding.
• Develop a strong understanding of orthodontics and clear aligner treatment.
• Be comfortable learning new technology, software, and digital design systems.
• Maintain high standards for accuracy, quality, and patient care.
• Understand that the work completed in the lab directly impacts a patient's treatment and smile.

Professional Growth

Jackson Dental's in-house laboratory is continuing to grow and develop. For the right candidate, this position offers the opportunity to take on increased responsibility as knowledge, experience, and lab volume increase.

Future growth may include:

• Increased ownership of laboratory workflows and systems.
• Training and supporting additional lab team members.
• Helping develop lab protocols and quality-control standards.
• Coordinating lab workflows across Jackson Dental locations.
• Expanding knowledge of digital dentistry, 3D printing, orthodontic, restorative, and orthotic technology.
• Advancement into a laboratory leadership or director-level position as the department grows.

Measures of Success

Success in this position means the orthodontic teams can rely on the lab process without having to continually manage or follow up on cases.

Cases are organized. Aligners and appliances are ready before they are needed. Deadlines are consistently met. Problems are identified early. Doctors and team members know where cases stand, and patients receive appliances that meet Jackson Dental's standards for accuracy, quality, and care.