Probably the most well-known and most frequently used further training in dental technology is that of master dental technician. Among other things, this is probably due to historical reasons, because the academic career was reserved for dentistry. In order to become self-employed and be allowed to train, the title of master was required.

The prerequisite for this dental technical training is a completed training as a dental technician.

This further training for dental technicians covers four areas (in this article we refer to the Master Craftsman Examination in Munich and Oberbayern):


Area 1: Practice in dental technology

• Total denture

• Orthodontic appliances

• Crown and bridge restorations

• Combination technique

• Precision mechanical elements

Particular attention is also paid to conveying content relating to CAD / CAM in dental technology and working with a 360° workflow of digital dental technology.


Area 2: Technical basics of dental technology

In the second area the focus is on the framework conditions of dental production.
 

• Error analysis

• Practice-oriented documentation

• New technologies and materials

• Calculation

• Modern employee and company management

• Quality management

Area 3: Corporate Governance

The third area and thus the preparation for the Master Craftsman Examination Part 3 is dedicated to everything that is needed to run a company in a crisis-proof manner.
 

• Assess the competitiveness of companies (balance sheet preparation and interpretation, cost and performance accounting, craft and commercial law)

• Prepare, carry out and evaluate start-up and takeover activities (company start-up and takeover, investment, liquidity and financial planning, tax law)

• Develop corporate management strategies (personnel planning and leadership, social security law, labor law)

Area 4: Education

In this part of the preparation for the Master Craftsman Examination Part 4, future master craftsmen learn everything about the training of dental technicians.

Some Chambers of Crafts also offer further training as a Technical Specialist (HWK) in addition to further training as a master craftsman dental technician.

Admission requirements for this further training in dental technology are a completed dental technician training and high school diploma or technical college entrance qualification. The aim of this further training is to take on management positions in companies in the dental industry. Employees with this additional qualification are often responsible for planning, organization and production monitoring.

After successful completion, there is the possibility to have the examination credited as Part III of the Master Craftsman Examination.

After passing the Master Craftsman Examination or the examination to become a Technical Specialist (HWK), the path does not have to be over yet. This can also be seen as admission ticket to the Handycraft Business Administration (HWK). This advancement training promises management positions in large laboratories, laboratory chains or industrial companies, since business economists in the craft know and master both the craft of dental technicians and the commercial processes.

For a number of years there has also been academic further training in addition to craft-oriented further training in dental technology. The Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences dared to start with the bachelor's degree in Dental Technology and Metallurgy and the master's degree in Applied Materials Science (specializing in dental technology) and created a connection between dental technology and the dental industry.

Various universities now offer further training opportunities for dental technicians. At the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, for example, those interested can enroll in the Digital Dental Technology course. And the Steinbeis University in Berlin has also arrived in the dental industry with a degree in Dental Technology and Management.

Of course, in addition to a degree or a master’s degree, there are other options for further training in dental technology. Not everyone aims for an advanced degree, a move into industry, or starting their own lab. For some dental technicians, advanced training is about not standing still, actively following progress or specializing in one direction.

In order not to miss the connection with constant further development, new technologies and advances, dental technicians should stay up to date. Dental courses, CAD / CAM tutorials, training courses, web seminars, conferences, trade fairs and events offer the right framework for this.