The training, employment and distribution of dental technicians in Australia is described. Since 1945 illegal practice by dental technicians has been widespread particularly among a group of technicians who operate one-man surgeries and operate illegally full time. Legislation has now been introduced in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales to permit registered technicians to make dentures direct to the patient and similar legislation is imminent in South Australia. The hope is expressed that the trend away from a technician being employed on the premises by the dental practitioner may be reversed, and that with the increasing sophistication of dental treatment and the technician being treated much more as a full member of the dental team, his interest and job satisfaction can be significantly improved.