Who We Are

What is the NBDTA?

The New Brunswick Dental Technicians Association is the governing body established by provincial legislation to regulate the practice of dental laboratory technology in New Brunswick. Its mandate is to protect the public interest by regulating and guiding Dental Technologists.

In New Brunswick, anyone can work in the field of dental technology, but only Registered Dental Technicians are permitted to operate, supervise           and/or own laboratories



What is a Registered Dental Technician?

A dental technician is a member of the dental team who works in a laboratory environment and upon prescription from a dental clinician constructs (or repairs) custom made dental prosthetic, restorative and orthodontic devices. This devices can either be fixed or removable. 

In New Brunswick, a dental technician is a regulated health care professional who is registered with the New Brunswick Dental Technicians Association. To be considered a Registered Dental Technician (RDT) in New Brunswick, individuals must have completed the Certification Examinations for Registration and then must be registered with the NBDTA. There are five certification exams covering the 4 topics of: (1) removable prosthesis (2) fixed prosthesis (3) ceramics (4) orthodontics. 

What kind of work does a dental technician do

Dental technicians design, construct and repair devices in 3 main categories: 


Where do dental technicians work? 

Dental technicians can be found in a variety of settings including within a dental office (in-house lab) or at hospitals, but most tend to work in independently owned and operated dental laboratories. 

They receive impressions and prescriptions (either physically or digitally) and then proceed to design and fabricate the requested appliance or device. 

Dental technicians work closely with dentists, dental specialists and prosthodontists to complete cases appropriately. Dental technicians are heavily relied upon to use their skills to determine the best esthetically/ functionally pleasing  design, material and method of production for each case. 

Many dental technicians will also offer in-office custom shading to ensure the prosthesis matches the patients current natural dentition and to ensure the patient is receiving a prosthetic they are the most happy with.