As is already becoming a tradition, we are sharing again at the beginning of the academic year the topic of the specialty “Dental Technician”. The subject is extremely exciting. Especially for students who are still choosing the path to follow in their career development. Our column focuses precisely on what the specialty is and what are the differences with the dentist and the orthodontist, whom we usually encounter in the dental practice at a given period of our lives. We also look at the portfolio of the specialty and some of the career development opportunities.
“Dentist” and “orthodontist”
Dental technicians are an integral part of the work of the dentist, to whom we go if we have a problem in the oral cavity or want to have a preventive examination of our teeth. Unfortunately, “ordinary people” most often encounter only their dentist and his nurse in the practice. The role of the dental technician remains in the shadows outside it. But the importance of the work that dental technicians perform is not small at all.
While the dentist takes care of the treatment of the patient’s teeth and gums, dental technicians are the ones who make the various dental constructions. Some of you may have also encountered the term “orthodontist”. The differences between the terms “dental technician”, “dentist” and “orthodontist” are significant. A dentist is a doctor who specializes in problems with teeth, gums, caries, restoration of damaged teeth and tooth extraction, etc.
The orthodontist takes an additional exam in orthodontics and deals with the alignment of the teeth and jaw. This is most often a specific treatment, in which braces and/or removable appliances are used to straighten the teeth. In the case where a patient’s teeth are very crooked and there is not enough space to straighten them, it is necessary to remove healthy teeth in the back of the mouth – this creates space to straighten the remaining teeth.
And what does the work of a dental technician consist of? As Iva Stamatova , a practicing dental technician for 4 years, shares: “Dentists work directly in the patient’s mouth, and dental technicians indirectly – through impressions.” Their work is interconnected and equally important.
Portfolio “Dental Technician”
Dexterity and patience, dedication and the desire to return smiles are some of the key characteristics of a good dental technician. “ ..I want to help people and I am dexterous – a skill necessary for dentistry” – shares Tanya Kuzmova , a dental student at Charité in Berlin. The combination of theory and practice not only during studies, but also in subsequent career development is a key moment for all those who are heading towards studying this specialty. “ My professor was of the opinion that quality comes from pain and work….60 students started in the first year, but 30 gave up that same year .” You have to be ready to devote yourself to this profession.
Skills and difficulties
The complexity of the profession comes from the fact that the practice of dental technology includes the so-called removable (fixed) and non-removable (removable) prosthetics. Dental technicians produce both fixed crowns, implants, bridges, and prostheses, various splints (sports, for bruxism, etc.), orthodontic devices. The precision with which these devices must be manufactured in order to be comfortably placed in the patient’s oral cavity is what makes the profession difficult. With the latest CAD and CAM technologies , as well as software such as AMOSYS, which facilitate the transmission of information from the dentist to the dental technician for the manufacture of the device, these processes are simplified. But precision and quality remain leading.
Studying for the profession “Dental Technician “
In Bulgaria, the opportunity to study in this field is offered by the medical colleges in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. The specialty is a professional bachelor’s degree, which is followed for 3 years with an optional laboratory internship. Of course, the specialty can also be studied abroad. But excellent command of the language in which the student will choose to study is highly recommended.
Many foreign students, such as Marcel from Baden-Württemberg, decide to choose Bulgaria for their studies because of the financial point of view on the one hand and the smaller groups and intermediate exams on the other. But some Bulgarian students, such as Tanya Kuzmova, decide to study abroad. Tanya decides on Berlin. In Germany, some of the options for her would be Jena, Freiburg, Munich or Würzburg. However, wherever the student chooses to study, the ultimate goal is the same – mastering the secrets of the craft and a good career.
Career development path
Both in Bulgaria and in Germany, fresh graduates face a career ladder that must be climbed before they can fully establish themselves in the field they desire. The the curriculum includes an internship in a laboratory, where in most cases the student can subsequently start their career.
Salary
The salary is expected to increase progressively with years in the industry, experience, skills and the amount of work done. Both in Bulgaria and in countries such as Germany and England, the salary of a dental technician is around the average for the country in which he practices. For example, in England, dental technicians who are just starting their career can expect an average annual salary of between 22,000 and 31,000 pounds. The more experience the dental technician has and the more qualified he is, the higher the salary he can expect. Dental technicians with experience receive an average of between 45,000 and 50,000 pounds. Those who, in addition to dental technology, are also involved in management in their field can expect over 60,000 pounds per year.
In Germany, dental technicians earn an average of between €2,696 and €4,361 per month. The average salary for the country is €3,606 per month, which means that half of dental technicians earn less and the other half earn more for their work. How qualified and experienced a dental technician is is again a leading factor in determining their compensation.
Salary in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, things are not much different. A dental technician in Bulgaria may earn less than his colleagues in the UK and Germany, but this is again an average amount for the country itself. The salary in Bulgaria varies, as a completely “fresh specialist” is likely to start at an amount lower than that for the country, but over time to reach a salary of around 1500-2200 leva per month. Of course, if he is good at what he does.
For those who wish to open their own dental laboratory, in any country, there is the opportunity for additional training and courses. Higher pay is a motive for many specialists, but responsibility and work should also increase. One thing is certain – innovations in dental technology do not stop and are constantly developing. In order for a dental technician to be competitive and receive a higher salary, he must constantly educate himself. In which direction he will want to develop as a specialist, whether he will work independently or in a large clinic and in which settlement he will choose to practice, is a personal choice. One thing is true in all cases, however – qualifications, the desire to upgrade, hard work and even innate talent are factors that would increase the remuneration and satisfaction from the work itself.
Future of dental technology
Despite the advent of CAD / CAM technologies, manual fabrication – especially in more complex cases and finer structures – remains preferred. With the advent of technology, dental technicians face the challenge of adapting to market innovations, but technology also contributes positively to the development of the profession. As Stefan Chavdarov, co-owner and manager of SMTL ViS Dental Studio Ltd. in an interview with Miglena Danova, shares: “Communication is one of the most important moments in teamwork. Proper communication with the dentist leads to improved quality of treatment. Constant contact with the dentist is extremely important so that we can comment on all the details regarding the fabrication of the structure or crown.” Thanks to new technologies, improving communication is possible with software such as AMOSYS .
Read more:
- Coping with post-vacation syndrome (13.09.2025); https://amosys.eu/en/coping-with-post-vacation-syndrome/
- Challenging cases in the practice of Dr. Damyan Enchev (24.03.2025) ; https://amosys.eu/en/challenging-cases-in-the-practice-of-dr-damyan-enchev/
- “Torture creates quality” – the motto of a professor or what a dental student in Germany goes through (19.10.2021); https://amosys.eu/blog/2021/10/19/interview-student-germaniq/
Sources:
- Dr. Badov. (02.11.2024). What is an orthodontist and what are braces; https://shorturl.at/wY9yy
- Bulgarian Association of Dental Technicians. Dental Laboratory (2020), issue 2 (22); https://baz.bg/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ZabLab_2-2020.pdf
- Salaryexplorer. Dental Technician average salary in Germany ( 2025 ); https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/dental-technician/germany Prospects. Job Profile: Dental Technician; https://bit.ly/3dSdr59
- ASUBIYO. Zahntechniker/in: Ausbildung und Beruf; https://bit.ly/3LW4pAM
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit; “Zahntechniker/in” ; https://bit.ly/3RhVpqz
- Careers.Iva Stamatova, dental technician: The great pleasure is to see a patient with a smile from ear to ear; https://bit.ly/3E0Kizg
- Zaplatomer.bg . Dental technician. Medicine and social care; https://bit. ly/3BNzXUN
- How well are our future specialists prepared? What do students share about their training in dentistry and dental technology? (16.02.2022) ; https://bit.ly/3KS2WJV
- “Torture creates quality” – the motto of a professor or what a dental student in Germany goes through. ( 19.10.2021 ) https://amosys.eu/blog/2021/10/19/interview-student-germaniq/