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.