3214-Medical and Dental Prosthetic Technicians

Job Title: 

Medical and Dental Prosthetic Technicians

Job Description: 

Medical and dental prosthetic technicians design, fit, service and repair medical and dental devices and appliances following prescriptions or instructions established by a health professional. They may service a wide range of support instruments to correct physical medical or dental problems such as neck braces, orthopaedic splints, artificial limbs, hearing aides, arch supports, dentures, and dental crowns and bridges.

Tasks: 

Bending, forming, and shaping fabric or material so that it conforms to prescribed contours needed to fabricate structural components

Linked Education ( CESM Codes ) : 

904 - Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
914 - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions

Specific Occupations: 

321401 - Dental Prosthetist
Description : Designs, constructs, repairs and fits dentures and mouth guards.
Green Occupation : No
Green Skill : NoTrade : No
Specializations : Clinical Dental Technician, Dental Prosthesis Maker Repairer

321402 - Dental Technician
Description : Constructs and repairs dentures and other dental appliances.
Green Occupation : No
Green Skill : NoTrade : No
Specializations : Dental Ceramicist, Dental Form Caster, Dental Mechanic Technician, Orthodontic Technician, Orthodontist Assistant

321403 - Dental Therapist
Description : Examines and treats diseases of the teeth in pre-school, primary and secondary school children under the general supervision of a dentist.
Green Occupation : No
Green Skill : NoTrade : No
Specializations : Dental Attendant, Dental Health Advisor, Dental Tutor Sister, Denturist, Gum Therapist, Oral Health Therapist

321405 - Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
Description : Fabricate and fit orthopaedic braces or prostheses to assist patients with disabling conditions of limbs and spine, or with partial or total absence of limb.
Green Occupation : No
Green Skill : NoTrade : No
Specializations : Orthotist, Prosthetist

Additional Notes: 

NOTE: Occupations included in this category normally require some medical, dental and anatomical and engineering knowledge obtained through formal training. Technicians who construct and repair precision medical and surgical instruments are not included here.

International Careers(ISCO): 
Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
Source Of Info: 

Source : Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO) 2013, Department of Higher Education and Training, Republic of South Africa