Small dental lab making crowns, bridges and dentures

Dental clinics and dentists, usually on account with monthly invoicing. Some clinics send work to a local lab for faster turnaround and easier communication.

A set price per item (for example per crown, per denture or per repair), invoiced to the clinic. Repeat work from a handful of regular dentists is the main income.

• Trained dental technician (certificate or diploma, plus lab experience)
• Fine hand skills and an eye for detail
• Meeting deadlines and keeping quality consistent
• Building relationships with dentists

• Rules for custom-made dental devices (check the TGA's current requirements for makers and record-keeping)
• Whether you need registration: dental prosthetists dealing directly with patients are regulated, so check with the Dental Board of Australia and don't deal with the public unless you are qualified
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Council zoning and ventilation or dust rules for the premises
• Slow-paying clinics and heavy reliance on a few clients

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on the premises, equipment and how broad a range of work you offer. Treat this as a guide only and get quotes before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on how many clinics you supply, the type of work and your turnaround. Slow-paying clinics and reliance on a few clients are worth planning for.

Check the TGA's current requirements for custom-made dental devices. Check with the Dental Board of Australia about registration, as dealing with patients directly is regulated. Also check insurance, and council zoning, ventilation and dust rules for the premises.