Digital Dentistry Meets Human Reality: What Taiwanese Dental Technicians Really Experience
When advanced technology enters the dental lab, does it make work life better or more complicated?
Digital dental technology has transformed how dental laboratories operate around the world. From CAD/CAM systems to 3D printing, these innovations promise faster production, higher accuracy, and greater efficiency. But behind the machines are people dental technicians whose experiences are rarely discussed.
A study published in BMC Oral Health takes a closer look at how digital dental technology is reshaping not only workflows, but also burnout, job satisfaction, and the intention to leave the profession among dental technicians in Taiwan.
Why Focus on Dental Technicians?
Dental technicians play a crucial yet often invisible role in dental care. While dentists and hygienists work directly with patients, technicians work behind the scenes to fabricate crowns, dentures, and other dental prostheses.
In Taiwan, the dental technology profession has undergone rapid digitalization in recent years. However, little research has explored how these technological changes affect technicians’ daily work, mental well-being, and career decisions. This study aims to fill that gap.
How the Study Was Conducted
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 341 licensed dental technicians across Taiwan. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed:
Acceptance and experience of digital dental technology
Levels of personal and work-related burnout
Job satisfaction
Intention to leave their workplace or the profession entirely
Advanced statistical analyses were used to identify which factors most strongly influenced job satisfaction and turnover intention.
Key Findings: Technology Is Welcome but Not a Cure-All
1. Digital Technology Is Widely Accepted
Most technicians reported a positive attitude toward digital dental technology. Many believed it improves efficiency and competitiveness, and most were willing to learn new digital skills. CAD/CAM systems were the most commonly used tools.
However, enthusiasm had limits. Many respondents felt that digital tools are expensive and do not necessarily lead to higher personal income.
2. Burnout Is a Serious Issue
Despite positive views on technology, burnout levels were high. The majority of participants reported:
Long working hours (often exceeding 40–50 hours per week)
Moderate to high personal and work-related burnout
Only moderate job satisfaction
This suggests that technology alone does not reduce workload pressure or emotional exhaustion.
3. Job Satisfaction Depends More on Burnout Than Technology
The analysis showed that:
Higher work burnout strongly reduced job satisfaction
Acceptance of digital technology slightly increased job satisfaction
Being an employer (rather than an employee) was associated with higher satisfaction
In short, while digital tools help, they do not outweigh the negative effects of excessive workload and burnout.
4. Many Technicians Are Thinking About Leaving
A significant number of technicians reported turnover intentions:
32.9% considered leaving their organization
28.2% considered leaving the profession altogether
Lower job satisfaction and higher burnout were the strongest predictors of these intentions. Geographic location of the workplace also played a role.
What This Means for the Future of Digital Dentistry
The study highlights an important reality: digital transformation in dentistry must be human-centered. While digital dental technology is largely welcomed, it does not automatically improve well-being or retention.
To sustain a skilled dental workforce, the authors emphasize the need to:
Improve working conditions
Address excessive working hours
Focus on occupational health and burnout prevention
Strengthen teamwork and professional recognition
Without these changes, technological progress alone may not be enough to retain talented dental technicians.
Conclusion
Digital dental technology is changing the dental laboratory but people remain at the heart of the system. This study reminds us that innovation should go hand in hand with better work environments. Supporting dental technicians’ well-being is not only a matter of fairness, but also a key factor in the long-term success of digital dentistry.
Original Article Reference
Teng, T.-Y., Wu, J.-H., & Lee, C.-Y. (2022). Acceptance and experience of digital dental technology, burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover intention for Taiwanese dental technicians. BMC Oral Health, 22, 342.
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-022-02359-z