Part 2 — PLAN No. 1248. DENTAL MECHANICS AS A VOCATION
Reading edition
This monograph was prepared by Dr. Harold DeWitt Cross, director, the Forsyth Dental Infirmary, Boston, Mass., and Dr. Guy S. Millberry, dean, college of dentistry, University of California, Berkeley, Calif.
Mechanical dentistry has been practiced by individuals for over a thousand years, though its development in a scientific way can be said to date from the beginning of the last century.
It is a part of the practice of dentistry which is limited to working upon inert matter and does not include work of any kind upon patients. For this reason anyone can become a dental mechanic, for the laws governing the practice of dentistry in all States specifically point out that such are exempt from the licensing requirements and penalties of law.
In presenting this work as a possible vocation, care has been taken to give fair and accurate accounts of what may be expected, the qualifications, and the type of work done. It is not right to say that mechanical dentistry is extremely simple, or that the pay is magnificent. It is right to say, however, that with the proper qualifications, mechanical dentistry offers big returns upon the investment of time and effort required to complete this course of training.
Mechanical dentistry plays a vital part in maintaining and increasing human efficiency. Hence, the skilled dental mechanic may be proud of his work, and may derive a threefold satisfaction from it—the pleasure in the work itself, the gratification of being well paid, and the satisfaction that comes from the knowledge that it is of benefit to mankind.
Class of Work Done.—The work of a dental mechanic consists of making, in the laboratory or work room, artificial dentures and restorations such as plates, bridges, crowns, inlays, etc., for which the impressions have been taken from the patients’ mouths by the dentist, and the work done under his direction.
The work may be divided into two major classes, plate work, and crown and bridge work. Plate work may again be divided into vulcanite or rubber plate work and metal plate work. In addition to this there are a number of types of dental work such as pouring and trimming plaster models of the teeth, making metal dies and counter dies, gold and porcelain inlays and other kinds of incidental work, so that a variety is always to be found in any dental laboratory.
Plate Work.—Plate work by the mechanical dentist consists of assembling plaster or modeling compound, taking impressions of the mouth and teeth, pouring plaster casts from them, making bite plates and the mounting of the models on the articulator, and in the instance of metal plates, making dies and counter dies of zinc and lead or similar metals or alloys for subsequent work. Then the porcelain teeth are set up in wax for trial purposes and the wax is subsequently removed and replaced by vulcanite. In the case of metal plates, aluminum, gold, or platinum is used as a base plate which must be swaged or cast to fit each individual case. This requires a knowledge and skill in the working of metals and frequently includes soldering operations.
Crown and Bridge Work.—Crown and bridge work include the working and soldering of precious metals as gold, platinum, or similar materials, and porcelain or it may be a combination of both precious metals and porcelain. These two classes of work constitute the largest part of mechanical dentistry though each class may offer many different types of cases.
Conditions of Labor.—Mechanical dentistry attracts a very desirable class of men, and therefore the people with whom one is thrown in the profession are such as may be a source of inspiration and encouragement.
The work is all light, usually performed at a bench, either sitting or standing as the mechanic prefers. There is enough of a variety of work to break the monotony. The metals used are zinc, lead, tin, copper, bismuth, antimony, or alloys of them, and the precious metals, gold, silver, mercury and platinum.
Practically no machinery except a small polishing lathe is used and all the tools and equipment are furnished by the employer. While much of the work is done with steel tools, very little of it is done on steel.
Light and ventilation are usually of the best, though the laboratories are generally small, and the sanitary conditions are generally very good.
Hours and Wages
Hours.—The hours are in a sense variable, running from 40 to 50 per week, and may vary from week to week where the dental mechanic is employed by the individual dentist. The hours depend largely upon the amount of work on hand in the office each day and the urgency for its completion. Usually the dentist works about seven hours a day, and he seldom demands more time of his assistants. Under these conditions, overtime is not usually considered. In large laboratories where a number of mechanics are employed the hours are likely to be more uniform and exacting.
Wages.—The wages will range from $15 to $40 or $50 a week, depending entirely on the ability of the mechanic, his speed and careful workmanship being the determining factor. More than $20 a week can not usually be expected at the start, but progress will be rapid according to the ability developed.
There are no unions organized to include this branch of labor as nearly all dentists do their own mechanical work during odd times.
Dental mechanics who possess skill and good business acumen may establish laboratories of their own, and cater to the needs of a number of dentists who do not have enough work to employ a dental mechanic, and yet more than they can accomplish themselves along with their other work. In this way, on a basis of piece work, a dental mechanic may build a lucrative and independent business, employing a number of assistants, and produce a net income of from $3,000 to $7,000 or $8,000 a year. Of course the essentials for success in such a business are the same as may be expected of any man who expects to be successful in other lines of business.
Permanency and Opportunities of the Profession.—There is an ever increasing demand for honest dental service on the part of the general public. Fully 100 per cent of the children and adults in any country need some form of dental service at least once a year. There are not enough dentists now to supply this service except to a limited portion of the population, but many of these have a practice sufficiently large to justify the employment of several assistants, one of whom should be a dental mechanic.
On account of the lack in the past of facilities for training there has arisen widespread and urgent demand for qualified dental mechanics. Well-informed dentists, who have the interest of the profession at heart, appreciate the present necessity for men trained in this particular phase of dentistry.
There are in the United States alone nearly 1,000 cities of more than 5,000 population. The smallest of these would afford employment to one mechanical dentist or more, working on salary or independently. Of the total number of cities, 60 have populations ranging from 40,000 to 100,000; each of these cities will afford employment to a large number of mechanical dentists. Forty of the 60 have populations of 100,000 and over. New York is the largest and it is estimated that it alone affords employment for thousands of mechanical dentists. Each of the other 39 cities gives large opportunities for capable members of this profession.
Qualifications
Previous Training.—No previous knowledge of dentistry or experience in mechanical work is necessary to qualify the student for mechanical dentistry, though those who have had experience such as mechanics in the jewelry trade, metal working industries where small work is a feature, or photography will find that the former work is a good foundation.
Education.—An average education is all that is absolutely required for the student of mechanical dentistry, though a high-school training and a knowledge of physics, chemistry, and manual training is desirable.
Personal Qualifications.—A natural intelligence, a moderate amount of ability to work with the fingers, perseverance and neatness are the essentials for success.
Age.—There is no age limit for the man who wishes to take up this vocation.
Training
Time required.—The length of time required to train men for mechanical dentistry may vary, according to previous education, experience and his type of disability. In many places the training is not done by classes, but through personal instruction, and the completion of the course lies with the aptitude of the student. The average time required is believed to be about one college year unless, as in some special cases, an intensive course of four months or so is instituted. These have been opened in some places. This refers to the time required when a course is taken rather than an apprenticeship in some laboratory of a private dentist.
Type of Training.—A course in mechanical dentistry is a practical one in which the student learns by doing. The work is demonstrated by a capable instructor, and then the students themselves do the actual work. There are a limited number of lectures, and an effort is made to give a sufficient fundamental knowledge for all the ordinary manipulations required in the trade.
After his course is complete, he will continue to improve his general knowledge and skill by further study. He must learn, if he is employed by a private dentist, the particular methods of his employer, and keep up with the new improvements described in dental text books and journals.
Course of Instruction.—The course of instruction in dental mechanics include the following subjects:
Model making.
Rubber plate making.
Anatomy of teeth.
Saddles.
Crown and bridge work.
Gold plates.
Lingual bar plates.
Aluminum plates.
Metal casting.
Orthodontia or regulating appliances.
Special Fields.—There are special fields in dentistry where the dental mechanic may adapt himself to a new class of work now very much in demand, that of dental radiography, or the taking and developing of X-ray pictures. Persons having had previous experience in any branch of photography will fit into this work easily.
Other special lines are the making of orthodontia appliances, gold and porcelain inlays, castings, clasps, bridges, and plates, crown and bridge work, and gold plate work.
Disabilities.—The physical qualifications and disability restrictions of a dental mechanic are not very exacting.
Persons with one good eye and the control and manipulative ability of both hands or at least two fingers and a thumb on each hand; defective hearing, with one or no legs (provided locomotion is not impaired), such diseases as hernia, kidney trouble, affections of the liver or heart will not be too seriously disabled to enter this profession.
Tuberculosis, on the other hand, is a serious handicap, both on account of the sedentary life, and because it might be difficult to secure or hold permanent employment because of the fear of contagion. Other infectious diseases would be more suitable to some other type of employment.
Very few vocations are open to such a wide number of disabled men. The opportunity for them seems to be one which will continue to increase with the increase in scientific dentistry, and the growing comprehension of the people of the important relation of the mouth and teeth to their general health.
Each of the following plans has a specially arranged list of occupations and business opportunities which have not been placed in the main index and should be consulted in connection with the index.
Page
Civil Service U. S., Index of Service— Plan No. 217 100
{ City, County, State and Federal Government, 487
Index of Service Plan No. 830-907 503
Forestry Pursuits—Index of Service „ „ 910 509
Wood Working Trades—Index of Service „ „ 928 556
Agriculture—Index of Courses „ „ 938 563
Agriculture—Index, Technical „ „ 940 566
Agriculture—Index, Experimental Station „ „ 942 569
Agriculture—Index, Extension Service „ „ 943 570
Navy Work—U. S. Index of Service „ „ 1050 624
Printing Trades—Index of Service „ „ 1238 826
Flour Milling—Index of Service „ „ 1246 849
Baking—Index of Service „ „ 1247 857