Dental Lab Coordinator - AZ - College of Dental Medicine

Full-time staff position at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Glendale, Arizona, reporting to the Dental Laboratory Manager.

About the role

This position serves as the laboratory’s primary hands-on resource for modern digital dental laboratory workflows while maintaining competency in traditional laboratory techniques. The Dental Laboratory Coordinator supports the daily execution, troubleshooting, quality control, and continuous improvement of fixed, removable, implant, and appliance workflows using modern digital and conventional lab systems.

The role involves working closely with the Laboratory Manager and ITS team, faculty, staff, students, external laboratories, and vendors to implement approved technologies and maintain efficient, reliable, and educationally sound laboratory operations. Occasional travel may be required to participate in professional meetings and present advancements in lab-related technologies and practices.

Responsibilities

• Operate, troubleshoot, calibrate, and maintain digital and traditional laboratory equipment, including scanners, CAD/CAM workstations, milling units, furnaces, and 3D printers.
• Perform and support the design and production of fixed and removable prostheses, implant restorations, surgical guides, models, occlusal appliances, and other laboratory-fabricated devices using both digital and conventional techniques.
• Execute and optimize digital design and manufacturing workflows under the direction of the Dental Laboratory Manager, including workflows in 3Shape, Exocad, CEREC inLab, for both additive and subtractive manufacturing.
• Maintain digital hardware, software, libraries, validated design parameters, manufacturing profiles, and related laboratory equipment to support reliable operation and reproducible outcomes.
• Provide hands-on support to students, faculty, and staff in the use and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, digital systems, case submissions, and manufacturing workflows.
• Provide training and workflow support to faculty, staff, and students on laboratory equipment, software, digital design, fabrication processes, and traditional laboratory procedures.
• Coordinate assigned case workflows and comply with safety, quality, and procedural standards.
• Serve as an operational liaison with ITS, external laboratories, and vendors for technical support, software and equipment implementation, maintenance, and workflow troubleshooting.
• Participate in committees and workgroups focused on digital workflows, technology integration, quality assurance, and process improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of digital dental laboratory software, hardware, materials, validated workflows, and relevant traditional laboratory techniques.
• Maintain complete documentation for laboratory cases, equipment maintenance, software and material validation, quality control, and required reporting.
• Assist in clinical research processes, including training on relevant lab systems and protocols.
• Present at professional meetings, training sessions, and continuing education events.
• Support faculty in audits, regulatory reviews, and accreditation processes as needed.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, and industry regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect patient and research subject information in accordance with privacy and security standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate or bachelor’s degree in dental laboratory technology, digital dentistry, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of dental laboratory experience, including at least 2 years of verifiable experience with digital dental systems and digital fabrication.
• Demonstrated experience designing and producing fixed and removable restorations, implant-related components, appliances, models, and guides using digital and traditional methods.
• Hands-on proficiency with one or more major dental CAD platforms is required; experience with 3Shape, exocad, and CEREC inLab is strongly preferred.
• Experience with 3D printing, milling, CAM setup, material processing, quality control, and troubleshooting.
• Experience in an academic dental institution or customer-service-oriented laboratory environment is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Collegiality and teamwork are essential attributes to support a positive work environment.

Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic case-management systems.
• Advanced working knowledge of dental CAD/CAM and digital laboratory software, with demonstrated proficiency in 3Shape, Exocad, CEREC inLab, FormLabs, or comparable systems.
• Experience with DDX or similar laboratory prescription and case-tracking software, 3D printing software, milling CAM software, digital file management, and basic networked-device troubleshooting is highly desirable.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• This position may require interaction with the clinical environment and handling of digital and conventional records in accordance with applicable infection-control and privacy requirements.

Work Environment

• Understanding and compliance with Universal Precautions and wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) along with proper aseptic technique.
• This position is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Life insurance, short/long term disability, and pet insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.
• Competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Child care subsidy reimbursement program.
• Identity theft protection and employee assistance program.
• On-site wellness facility with a fully equipped fitness center.