Good demand for dental technicians
According to the Dental Council of New Zealand, there is an increase in the amount of dental technicians either retiring or leaving the profession. This means there are opportunities for graduates and experienced dental technicians to fill vacancies.
Other factors contributing to the demand for dental technicians are due to:
- New Zealand's growing and ageing population, resulting in an increasing demand for dental technicians to make dental appliances
- growing popularity of cosmetic dentistry – dental technicians are needed to prepare crowns and veneers for cosmetic procedures
- few people training for the role.
Clinical dental technician appears on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled clinical dental technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.
According to the Census, 405 dental technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Work experience increases chance of employment for graduates
Most employers prefer graduates who have work experience, as well as academic training. Chances of getting a full-time job after you graduate are best if you do part-time dental technician work while studying.
Dental technicians commonly self-employed
Many dental technicians are self-employed.
They may also work for:
- dental laboratories in public hospitals
- private dental laboratories
- the New Zealand Defence Force.
