Wage Watchers: How much does a dental technician earn?

What do you do?
For two years I’ve been working as a dental technician with DentWise. I design implants, bridges and dentures. It’s quite technical: Patients who for one reason or another need full or partial dentures first receive implants – an artificial replacement for the root of the tooth, fitted by the stomatologist. Then the dentist takes an impression of the mouth, and the lab makes a plaster model, which is then scanned by us. On the basis of the scan, we design a structure that is then printed in 3D in titanium or a cobalt-chrome alloy. And it’s on that structure, finally, that the false teeth are fitted.

Do you enjoy your work?
Yes. I like drawing with the computer. I get to use my creativity, and I’m often called on to solve problems. For example, when the distance between the jaws is too small, it can sometimes be a puzzle to find a solution that suits the patient. I also have great colleagues; we often get together outside of work.

What do you think of the pay?
I earn €1,500 per month net. I’m reasonably happy with my salary, though I realise the pay in this sector isn’t terribly high.

How many hours a week do you work?
We have a 38-hour system. Sometimes we work overtime, like at peak moments of the year - before the summer holidays and at Christmas time.

Would you change jobs for a higher salary?
I would think about it, but the job would have to be right for me, of course, because I enjoy what I’m doing now. Especially since my job is very close to home.

What’s your largest expense?
Rent and socialising. I like going out on the town with friends and co-workers.

Are you more careful with money because of the crisis?
No, not really.

What do you enjoy spending money on?
Eating out. I go out to eat at least once a week because it’s easy, it’s delicious and it’s fun.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I’d go on a long trip and put the rest of the money aside. I’d think long and hard about what do do with such a large sum.