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4Y191 Career Guide

Air Force

4Y191: Dental Laboratory Craftsman

Career transition guide for Air Force Dental Laboratory Craftsman (4Y191)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 4Y191 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Dental Laboratory Technician

$55K
High matchStable demand

Medical Appliance Technician

$45K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of diverse medical appliances

Dental Assistant

$43K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certificationExpanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Healthcare AdministrationProject management skillsHealthcare compliance knowledge

Quality Control Inspector

$40K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 9001 certificationSix Sigma training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 4Y191 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict Air Force and civilian oversight agency guidelines in dental practices, ensuring all procedures meet regulatory standards and maintain patient safety.

Meticulously following established protocols and regulations, ensuring accuracy and consistency in a regulated environment.

Resource Optimization

Managing the annual operating budget, conducting profit analysis, and accounting for precious metals expended, optimizing resource allocation within the dental laboratory.

Efficiently managing budgets, analyzing financial data, and allocating resources to maximize productivity and minimize waste.

After-Action Analysis

Inspecting and evaluating dental practices and procedures, interpreting inspection findings, and recommending corrective actions to improve efficiency and compliance.

Analyzing processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures based on detailed evaluations and data analysis.

System Modeling

Developing and analyzing statistical controls, implementing improved clinical procedures and work methodology, demonstrating an ability to design and refine operational systems.

Designing, implementing, and optimizing systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness, using statistical analysis and procedural improvements.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

You've been rigorously inspecting and evaluating dental practices to ensure compliance with stringent guidelines. This experience directly translates to ensuring products or services meet required standards in a quality assurance role. Your ability to interpret findings and implement corrective actions is invaluable.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

Your experience in ensuring compliance with Air Force and civilian oversight agency guidelines makes you a strong candidate for a Compliance Officer role. You're adept at interpreting regulations, identifying deficiencies, and implementing corrective actions, which are critical skills in maintaining regulatory compliance.

Operations Analyst

SOC 13-1111.00

You've been managing dental clinic and laboratory activities, developing statistical controls, and improving work methodology. As an operations analyst, you'll apply these skills to analyze business processes, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements to optimize performance.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Dental Laboratory Apprentice Course, Fort Sam Houston, TX

1,120 training hours28 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Dental Laboratory Technology

Topics Covered

  • Dental Materials Science
  • Complete Denture Fabrication
  • Removable Partial Denture Fabrication
  • Fixed Prosthodontics Fabrication (Crowns, Bridges)
  • Orthodontic Appliance Fabrication
  • Maxillofacial Prosthetics
  • Dental Laboratory Management and Safety
  • Infection Control and Sterilization

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Dental Technician (CDT)75% covered

While the military training provides extensive hands-on experience in fabricating and repairing dental prostheses, additional study may be needed in specific areas such as advanced ceramics, CAD/CAM technology used in dental labs, and specific regulatory requirements for civilian dental laboratories.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Dental Manager (CDM)OSHA Dental Office Safety TrainingLean Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
WIRON Casting MachineInduction casting machines (e.g., for jewelry making)
Porcelain Furnaces (Programat EP 5010)Dental porcelain furnaces (e.g., Ivoclar Vivadent Programat series)
Model Trimmers (Buffalo)Lapidary saws/grinders, precision grinding equipment
Air Abrasive Microblaster (Danville Engineering)Sandblasting cabinets for small parts, micro-abrasive blasting systems
Vacuum Forming Machine (Biostar)Thermoforming machines, vacuum forming equipment for plastics
Articulating Systems (SAM)Precision mechanical jigs/fixtures for aligning parts, metrology tools

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