UNIQUE PROGRAM ATTRACTS TALENT ACROSS MIDWEST Dental Technician students blend artistry and science TEETH ARE AS UNIQUE AS FINGERPRINTS. When they need to be replaced, dentists can’t pull readymade teeth off the shelves. They turn to artisans to create them. That’s where dental technicians come in. “There’s a lot of magic and mystery for patients behind where those replacement teeth come from,” explained Nicole Jackson, lead faculty and program coordinator for MATC’s Dental Technician technical diploma program. After dentists make digital or manual impressions to aid in building the shape and size needed to fit perfectly with surrounding teeth, technicians then handcraft crowns, dentures and bridges to fit the individual’s mouth. MATC’s Dental Technician program is the only one in Wisconsin and one of the only in the Midwest. “The next closest program is in Indiana,” Jackson said. “My students are traveling from Illinois and Minnesota as well as various places in Wisconsin.” It’s a great career for individuals who are interested in the dental industry who might not see themselves in a clinical setting working directly with patients, Jackson said. Grads can work in a variety of sites and aspects of the business — in clinics, labs, marketing, sales or even producing webinars.
20 Milwaukee Area Technical College
They can specialize in creating certain types of replacement teeth or dental prostheses. A 2003 graduate of MATC’s Dental Technician program, Jackson said she chose the career “because I love the health dynamic and working in a clinical space. I had a really strong artistic background and a scientific background as well. Dental technology was a blend of both of those worlds for me.” When an opportunity to lead and coordinate MATC’s program opened in fall 2020, she jumped at the chance. “I love to see the spark ignite in somebody else and to support their efforts to follow whatever their dream may be,” Jackson said. “The best part is giving back. I’m so thankful and appreciative for the experience I had in this program.” DENTAL PROGRAMS
One Dental Technician diploma program in Wisconsin Source: Wisconsin Technical College System
Dental Technician student Rachel Czosnek is motivated by giving back, too. “I want to do something that makes a difference,” she said. “Improving someone’s smile can make a very big difference in their lives.” Czosnek said she loves working with the people in her program. “I feel like we’re a tight group. And we really lucked out with Nicole. She takes the extra time to help you. All the MATC instructors are really awesome and very knowledgeable,” she said. For fellow student Deautrice (DeeDee) Morehead, much of the attraction is in working with her hands and creating the teeth.
“I like building and recreating things,” Morehead said. “We’re designing the tooth and paying attention to every landmark within it. It’s very artistic. You use a lot of instruments and you actually carve the tooth. Everything has to line up correctly in order for it to work out. I like watching it all come together.” Morehead also stressed that she was glad the program could be completed in one year and that the training she gets at MATC will prepare her to advance in her career. Individuals can become dental technicians without attending college, but graduates of MATC’s program are at a “huge advantage,” Jackson said.
