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How a dental laboratory technician can use AI, task by task

O*NET 51-9081.00: Dental Laboratory Technicians17 tasksJob Zone 2: Some preparation

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Ceramist, Crown and Bridge Dental Laboratory Technician (Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Tech), Dental Ceramist, Dental Laboratory Technician (Dental Lab Tech), Dental Technician (Dental Tech), Denture Technician (Denture Tech), Metal Finisher, Orthodontic Laboratory Technician (Ortho Lab Tech), Porcelain Technician (Porcelain Tech), Waxer.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 0%AI-assist 16%Stays human 84%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 0 AI-ready, 2 AI-assist and 15 human-led tasks out of 17. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.Read & digest · Several times a day
Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.Train & teach · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.Hands-on care · Several times a day
Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.Watch & inspect · Several times a day
Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.Hands-on care · Daily

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 0

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

None of this job's tasks are here.

AI can help you prep these 2

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.

Several times a day

AI gives you a first-pass summary; you still read the key parts.

Show prompt & steps

AI can pull out the key points and questions to look for. Use it as a first pass, then look closely yourself.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.

Context: We use Dental product design software and Dental product manufacturing software; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Work order or spec: [paste or type the order, part numbers, drawing notes]
What I'm making: [product or job]

List the materials, parts, quantities and specifications this order calls for, as a checklist. Flag tolerances, unclear items, and anything I should confirm with the supervisor before starting.

10-minute exercise: Pull materials from a work order

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions.

Step 2Type it into [Work order or spec] and say what it's for in [What I'm making].

Step 3Tick the checklist against the actual order and drawing. Ask about every unclear item before cutting or ordering.

Remove names and private details before pasting, and check your employer's rules on what you can share with AI tools.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements..

Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.

Context: We use Microsoft PowerPoint and Dental product design software; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Equipment or procedure: [describe]
Workers: [describe]

Plan a demonstration, practice and safety check. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Equipment instruction

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Equipment or procedure] and [Workers] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.. Also involves: Direct operational or production activities..

These stay human 15

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Using hands on tools and objects: continually or almost continually · Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Impact of decisions: important results

Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Device: [denture, crown, footwear]
Prescription: [requirements]

List fabrication steps and checks. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Custom device fabrication

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices.

Step 2Fill in [Device] and [Prescription] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.. Also involves: Repair medical or dental assistive devices..

Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.

Several times a day

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Device: [dental appliance, orthotic, prosthetic]
Specifications: [fit, alignment]

List tests and acceptance criteria. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Device fit and function test

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you test appliances.

Step 2Fill in [Device] and [Specifications] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Inspect medical or dental assistive devices..

Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Product: [hairpiece, bike, garment]
Client needs: [comfort, fit]

List measurements and fitting steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Fitting routine

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you place tooth models (today). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Product] and [Client needs] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Measure clients to ensure proper product fit..

Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.

Several times a day

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Mold and material: [tire, clay, casting]
Specs: [amounts]

List loading and tamping steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Mold loading

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you melt metals.

Step 2Fill in [Mold and material] and [Specs] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Place materials into molds.. Also involves: Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.; Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production..

Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Item: [cabinet, roll, piece]
Finish: [gloss level]

List compounds and steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Polishing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces (today).

Step 2Fill in [Item] and [Finish] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.. Also involves: Trim excess material from workpieces..

Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.

Several times a day

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Mold: [fibreglass, casting]
Agent: [wax, release]

List application steps and coats. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Mold release prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks.

Step 2Fill in [Mold] and [Agent] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check the release agent suits the resin.

Importance 4.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds..

Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Device: [denture, crown, footwear]
Prescription: [requirements]

List fabrication steps and checks. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Custom device fabrication

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you build and shape wax teeth (today).

Step 2Fill in [Device] and [Prescription] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices..

Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Device: [glasses frames, dentures]
Damage: [describe]

List repair steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Assistive device repair

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you rebuild or replace linings (today).

Step 2Fill in [Device] and [Damage] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Repair medical or dental assistive devices..

Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Model: [dental, anatomical]
Materials: [plaster, wax]

List mixing, pouring and setting steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Model casting steps

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you create a model of patient's mouth (today). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Model] and [Materials] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices.. Also involves: Place materials into molds..

Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Material: [alloy, chemical]
Treatment: [describe]

List steps and measurements. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Material processing prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare metal surfaces (today).

Step 2Fill in [Material] and [Treatment] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare materials for processing..

Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Items: [parts, meats]
Process: [cure, smoke, bake]

List loading, times and temperatures. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Oven or curing load

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you load newly constructed teeth (today).

Step 2Fill in [Items] and [Process] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Load items into ovens or furnaces..

Mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Model: [dental, anatomical]
Materials: [plaster, wax]

List mixing, pouring and setting steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Model casting steps

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you mold wax over denture setups (today).

Step 2Fill in [Model] and [Materials] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices..

Prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Session or task: [therapy, sampling]
Equipment: [list]

List prep and calibration steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Equipment and supply prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays (today).

Step 2Fill in [Session or task] and [Equipment] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use..

Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Part: [describe]
Tools: [hammers, brakes, shears]

List shaping sequence and checks. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Hand-forming metal

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Part] and [Tools] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.. Also involves: Solder parts or workpieces..

Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Workpiece: [mold, fabric, leather]
Defect: [describe]

List filling or patching steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Defect filling

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you fill chipped or low spots (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Workpiece] and [Defect] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces..

Get the full prompt pack for Dental Laboratory Technicians

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

Critical Thinkingimportance 3.2/5
Used in: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Operations Monitoringimportance 3.1/5
Used in: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Quality Control Analysisimportance 2.9/5
Used in: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.1/5
Used in: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.4/5
Used in: Getting Information
Active Listeningimportance 3.0/5
Used in: Getting Information
Speakingimportance 3.0/5
Used in: Training and Teaching Others
Active Learningimportance 3.0/5
Used in: Training and Teaching Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians86% human-led · Same preparation · usually high school diploma
Skills to build: Quality Control Analysis
Etchers and Engravers82% human-led · Same preparation · usually high school diploma
Your skills already line up
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders84% human-led · Same preparation · usually post-secondary certificate
Your skills already line up
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators92% human-led · Same preparation · usually high school diploma
Your skills already line up

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 4 new or updated tasks here: 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 3 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Meet with dentists or patients to discuss dental appliances.

New in O*NET

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to meet with dentists or patients to discuss dental appliances.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
I have a conversation coming up with patients: [describe it without names or private details]

Help me prepare: what the patient may be feeling, 3 ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Rehearse: dentists or patients

Step 1Pick a real upcoming moment where you meet with dentists or patients. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Describe it in [describe it] without names, then practise against the role-play patient.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

New O*NET task (08/2022). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Order parts or materials needed to make dental appliances.

New in O*NET

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to order parts or materials needed to make dental appliances.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Bookkeeping software.
Here's what I'm working with: [paste the parts or materials, with private details removed]

Organize this into [a table / the fields in Intuit QuickBooks or Bookkeeping software / a checklist]. Point out anything missing or inconsistent, and suggest a template I can reuse next time.

10-minute exercise: Template: parts or materials

Step 1Take a real example you handle next time it comes up (parts or materials).

Step 2Paste it into [paste the parts or materials] and choose the output in [a table / the fields in Intuit QuickBooks or Bookkeeping software / a checklist].

Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

New O*NET task (08/2022). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Scan dental models to create digital files.

New in O*NET

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to scan dental models to create digital files.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Job details: [dental models: materials, specs, model numbers, site conditions]

Make me a pre-job checklist to scan dental models (tools, materials, safety steps), the key measurements or calculations to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job when I'm done. Flag anything to check against the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pre-job checklist: dental models

Step 1Before you next scan dental models, put the real materials, specs and site conditions in [Job details].

Step 2Strike anything that doesn't match your manual or site rules. Add the steps only experience teaches.

Step 3After the job, log it with the 3-line template and note one thing to do faster or safer next time.

New O*NET task (08/2022). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Stain porcelain on dental appliances to match the color of patients' teeth.

New in O*NET

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a dental laboratory technician. Part of my job is to stain porcelain on dental appliances to match the color of patients' teeth.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, design and production and processing.
Material: [alloy, chemical]
Treatment: [describe]

List steps and measurements. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Material processing prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you stain porcelain. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Material] and [Treatment] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

New O*NET task (08/2022). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so its label comes from similar tasks, such as “Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.” (Dental Laboratory Technicians), and was checked by hand. O*NET work activity: Prepare materials for processing.. Also involves: Load items into ovens or furnaces.; Trim excess material from workpieces..

Getting into this job

High school diploma is most common (52% of workers)

High school or less 65%
Certificate or some college 26%
Associate's 2%
Bachelor's 2%
Graduate degree 6%

On-the-job training: 6–12 months
Related experience: 1–2 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Intuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Word