Dental instrument assembler

Dental instrument assemblers assemble various dental instruments, such as drills, lasers, probes, mirrors, and dental imaging devices. They use various machinery, hand tools, chemicals, adhesives and epoxies to assemble the dental instruments. They use precision tools and work in clean room environments.

The following job titles also refer to dental instrument assembler:

orthodontic instrument assembler
dental instruments fabricator
dental instruments maker
dental instrument assembly line worker
dental equipment assembler
assembly of dental instruments
dental probe assembler
dental instrument assembly operative
dental instrument assembly worker
assembler of dental instruments
dental device assembler
dental laser assembler
dental instrument technician
dental device maker
dental instrument production assembler
assembler in dental instrument production
assembler of dental equipment
dental device fabricator
dental instrument assembly technician
dental drill assembler
orthodontic instruments assembler
dental instruments assembler
dental mirror assembler
dental imaging device assembler

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a dental instrument assembler.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Dental instrument assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to dental instrument assembler.

wire harness assembler
battery assembler
precision instrument assembler
semiconductor processor
electrical cable assembler

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of dental instrument assembler. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of dental instrument assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

microsystem engineering technician
instrumentation engineering technician
microelectronics engineering technician
sensor engineering technician
electromechanical engineering technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of dental instrument assembler.

• Dental instrument components: The different components and materials that are necessary to create a specific dental instrument. These materials and components vary between the electromedical dental instruments, such as dental drills and dental lasers, and non-electrical dental instruments, such as dental mirrors and sickle probes.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Dental anatomy: The development, appearance, classification, function and characteristics of teeth and their position in the mouth.
• Medical device regulations: The set of national and international regulations with regards to the manufacture, safety, and distribution of medical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of dental instrument assembler.

• Manipulate dental material: Manipulate materials used in dental procedures such as waxes, plastics, precious and non-precious alloys, stainless steel, porcelains and composites or polymer glass.
• Wear cleanroom suit: Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Read assembly drawings: Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
• Carry out measurements of parts: Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.
• Remove defective products: Remove defective materials from the production line.
• Operate precision measuring equipment: Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
• Manufacture dental instruments: Manufacture dental instruments, using specified materials, components, hand and power tools.
• Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Follow clinical guidelines: Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
• Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Clean components during assembly: Clean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.
• Use precision tools: Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools for precision work.
• Fasten components: Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
• Ensure conformity to specifications: Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of dental instrument assembler. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Electrical equipment regulations: The national and international regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electrical equipment on the workfloor. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general risk management, electrical equipment manufacture, electrical equipment testing, electrical equipment installation, warning labels, and certificates.
• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
• Medical device test procedures: The methods of testing the quality, accuracy, and performance of medical devices and their materials and components before, during, and after the building of the systems.
• Optomechanical engineering: Subset of mechanical engineering specialised in optical systems and products, such as binoculars, microscopes, telescopes, and spectrometers, as well as optomechanical components, such as optical mounts and optical mirrors.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Biomedical techniques: The various methods and techniques used in biomedical laboratory such as molecular and biomedical techniques, imaging techniques, genetic engineering, electrophysiology techniques and in silico techniques.
• Biomedical engineering: The biomedical engineering processes used to create medical devices, prostheses and in treatments.
• Medical devices: Equipment and devices used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of medical issues. Medical devices cover a wide range of products, ranging from syringes and protheses to MRI machinery and hearing aids.
• Optoelectronics: Branch of electronics and optics dedicated to the study and use of electronic devices that detect and control light.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of dental instrument assembler. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Apply soldering techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of soldering, such as soft soldering, silver soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, pipe soldering, mechanical and aluminium soldering.
• Monitor machine operations: Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Test dental instruments: Test dental instruments using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
• Maintain dental instruments: Ensure all dental instruments and components are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Check for solder defects: Check the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.
• Maintain laboratory dental tools: Maintain laboratory tools and equipment such as lathes, trimmers, grinders, articulators, and cleaning devices.
• Test dental appliances for compliance: Examine dental appliances to make sure that they comply with specifications, using articulators and micrometres to test for accuracy of occlusion.
• Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
• Comply with legislation related to health care: Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
• Repair dental instruments: Repair or modify dental instruments and supportive devices according to the specifications.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Adjust manufacturing equipment: Regulate and monitor the manufacturing equipment settings and process parameters, such as its temperature and power level. Review the manufacturing process and equipment and suggest improvements.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

8212 – Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers

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References

1. Dental instrument assembler – ESCO