New ways for dental lab technicians to save money on continuing education [VIDEO]

The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology (The Foundation or FDLT) has announced several ways for dental labs to gain financial assistance to continuing education programs.

The stated purpose of The Foundation is “to advance the profession of dental laboratory technology by developing educational curriculum and programs that will be relevant and accessible to dental technicians and other members of the dental team.” The FDLT is currently accepting applications to the Fulcrum Grant, which provides $2,500 to a dental technician looking to seek continuing education from an approved program. Applications for the Fulcrum Grant are due on November 15, 2014.

Related article: Easy ways to continue your education.

Lab technicians who are active Recognized Graduates or Certified Dental Technicians through the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology can also consider the 2015 Kois Center Education Grant, which will provide access to a Biomechanics course at the Kois Center, a $9,995 value.

The NADL reports on the state of the dental lab industry:

The Foundation has also announced the nine winners of the 2014 Pillar Scholarship. The nine winners are:

Ghassan Abdulahad El - Cajon, CAYoungbae Kim - Irvine, CACherie Frazier - Newark, NJJose Funes - Pasadena, CAEli Mendez - Corpus Christi, TXMichael Beasley - Kennesaw, GAOdena Chinchilla Serrano - San Gabriel, CALori Perrin - Whitley, INAmie Lightfoot - Lubbock, TX

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According to a press release, the scholarship is awarded based on education, certification, employment and volunteer work. Dental technicians can apply to obtain their Certified Dental Technician (CDT) certification and CDTs can apply to gain additional specialties through the scholarship.

The FDLT, established in 2008 by National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL), offers the Pillar Scholarship to support educated or trained dental technicians who are working toward certification through the CDT program by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC). Over the last three years NADL and the FDLT have awarded over 40 scholarships or approximately $35,000 in scholarship funds.

Read more about the NADL's "What's In Your Mouth" quality campaign

Applications for the Pillar scholarship can be obtained by calling the FDLT office at (866) 627-3990, or online at dentallabfoundation.org and are due by August 15 each year. The scholarship winners are announced in the fall. All past applicants that did not receive a scholarship from previous years are encouraged to apply again.

More information on the Kois Center Education Grant is forthcoming on dentallabfoundation.org.