Dental Lab Technician School

A dental lab technician school provides a formal training program to introduce students to the field and offer a variety of experience through lab work. Although graduating from an accredited dental lab technician school is not required to work as a dental laboratory technician, some find this path better while others prefer starting entry level as an assistant and learning on the job. There are about 24 dental lab technology programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation offered through community colleges, universities, and technical institutes. The majority of dental lab technician schools offer a 2 year program towards a diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree but there are a few that implement a 4 year track option towards a bachelor’s degree.

The cost of dental lab technician schools varies by school and the estimated tuition of accredited schools can be found below. Besides tuition there are other cost such as supplies, uniforms, instruments, immunizations, insurance, and background checks. Credit hours for completion of these programs range from 63 to over 90.

Dental Lab Technician Training

Dental lab technician programs are designed to have courses to teach several aspects of the career and also provide experience in laboratory work in the design and creation of dentures, removable partial dentures, crown and bridge, dental ceramics and orthodontics. Besides general study and physical science courses, students can expect the curriculum to include dental morphology, dental materials, occlusions, dental laboratory management history and ethics and legality, infectious disease control, and dental laboratory technology. The main focus of training should include didactic and practical experience in all five specialty areas dentures, removable partial dentures, crown and bridge, dental ceramics and orthodontics. Specialization courses are also offered to help students to increase experience in one or all of the fields. Students will create custom impression trays, prepare and evaluate casts, fabricate orthodontic appliances, develop wax patterns, create prostheses, produce dentures, and many other processes in evaluation, design, and creation.

Accredited Dental Lab Technician Schools

Pima County Community College
2202 West Anklam Road – HRP-220
Tucson, AZ 85709-0080
Phone: 520-206-3100
Program Contact: Max Atwell, Program Administrator
Email: matwell@pimacc.pima.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science, also 4 separate certificate options in Complete Dentures Technologist, Dental Ceramics Technologist, Fixed Bridgework Technologist, Partial Dentures Technologist
Credit Hours: 70-75
Tuition: resident $3,862.50, non-resident $6,525 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.pima.edu/program/dental/index.shtml

Los Angeles City College
855 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Phone: 323-953-4000 ext. 2501
Program Contact: Arax Cohen, Program Administrator
Email: cohenas@lacitycollege.edu
Completion: Dental technology certificate or Associate of Science or Master Ceramist certificate or Advanced Prosthodontic, Implant and Maxillofacial certificate
Credit Hours: 77 for associate degree
Tuition: CA resident $2,002, out-of-state resident $14,476 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.lacc.cc.ca.us/academic/departments/dentech/index.html

Pasadena City College
Dental Laboratory Technology Program
1570 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91106
Phone: 626-585-7200
Program Contact: Anita Bobich, Program Administrator
Email: ambobich@paccd.cc.ca.us
Completion: Certificate of Achievement
Credit Hours: 63
Tuition: CA resident $1,638, out-of-state resident $11,970 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.pasadena.edu/divisions/health-sciences/dlt/index.cfm

Indian River Community College
3209 Virginia Avenue
Ft. Pierce, FL 34981
Phone: 772-462-7527
Program Contact: Don R. Symington, Program Administrator
Email: dsymingt@ircc.cc.fl.us
Completion: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Laboratory Technology and Management
Credit Hours: 68
Tuition: FL resident $5,763.68, out-of-state resident $21,467.60 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.ircc.cc.fl.us/portal/layout_web1.aspx?PortalPageID=240

McFatter Vocational Technical School
6500 Nova Drive
Davie, FL 33317
Phone: 754-321-5753
Program Contact: Rachel Victor, Guidance Counselor
Email: rachel.victor@browardschools.com
Completion:
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website: http://www.mcfattertech.com/dental-lab-technician.aspx

Atlanta Technical College
1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW-Rm 2138
Atlanta, GA 30310-4446
Phone: 404-225-4557
Program Contact: Charlena Crowder, Chair
Email: ccrowder@atlantatech.edu
Completion: Diploma
Credit Hours: 99 quarter-hour credits
Tuition: $5,577
Website: http://www.atlantatech.org/student_info/dla4.asp

Idaho State University College of Technology
Dental Laboratory Technology Program
Box 8380
Pocatello, ID 83209-8380
Phone: 208-282-2622
Program Contact: Diane Edmunds
Email: ctech@isu.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science degree Dental Laboratory Technology
Credit Hours: 86
Tuition: Resident $14,237, Non-resident $36,221 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.isu.edu/ctech/dental_tech/index.shtml

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
2101 Coliseum Blvd, East Neff Hall, Room 150
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
Phone: 260-481-6837
Program Contact: Candy Ringel, CDT, M.P.M. Director
Email: ringelc@ipfw.edu
Completion: Associate of Science
Credit Hours: 72
Tuition: Resident $16,048, Non-resident $37,303 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.ipfw.edu/dental/laboratory/
Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Boulevard SW-Rm 221 Linn Hall
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Phone: 319-398-5566
Program Contact: Betty L. Mitchell
Email: betty.mitchell@kirkwood.edu
Completion: Associate of Science
Credit Hours: 77
Tuition: Resident $8,547, Non-resident $10,472 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?d=484

Bluegrass Community and Technical College – Cooper Campus
Cooper Drive
330 Oswald Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0235
Phone: 859-246-6244
Program Contact: Robin E. Gornto
Email: robin.gornto@kctcs.edu
Completion: Associate in Applied Science or Certificate
Credit Hours: AAS – 64, Cert – 26
Tuition: Resident $8,000, Contiguous counties resident $16,000, Non-resident $27,200 for 2009-2010
Website: http://legacy.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/ah/dlt/

Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
Office of Admissions
1100 Florida Avenue, Box 228
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: 504-941-8085
Program Contact: Leonard Aucoin, Jr., Program Coordinator
Email: laucoi@lsuhsc.edu
Completion: Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science Degree
Credit Hours: AAS – 79, BS – 115
Tuition: AAS – $12,554 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/fsdlt.html

Middlesex Community College
33 Kearney Square
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: 978-656-3056
Program Contact: Apollon Bouzerdan, Program Coordinator
Email: bouzerdana@middlesex.mass.edu
Completion: Associate of Science
Credit Hours: 69
Tuition: Massachusetts Resident $10,350, Residents of CT, ME, NH, RI & VT $11,178, Residents outside New England $24,564 for 2009-2010
Website: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/DLTDepartment/

New York City College of Technology
300 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-2983
Phone: 718-260-5137
Program Contact: Anthony Sena
Email: asena@citytech.cuny.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science in Restorative Dentistry
Credit Hours: 64
Tuition: Resident $9,200, Non-resident $26,560 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/academics/deptsites/dentallab/programs.shtml

Erie Community College, South Campus
4041 Southwestern Boulevard
Orchard Park, NY 14127-2199
Phone: 716-851-1759
Program Contact: Marvin Herman
Email: herman@ecc.edu
Completion: Associate of Science
Credit Hours: 72
Tuition: Erie County Resident $9,936, Non-resident $19,872 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.ecc.edu/academics/programs/dentallab/

Durham Technical Community College
1637 Lawson Street
Durham, NC 27703
Phone: 919-536-7233
Program Contact: Michael Patrick, Program Director
Email: PatrickM@durhamtech.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science options for Complete Denture Techniques Certificate, Dental Ceramic Techniques Certificate, Cast Partial Denture Techniques, Certificate Crown and Bridge Techniques Certificate
Credit Hours: 75
Tuition: In-state Resident $3,750, Non-resident $18,097.50 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.durhamtech.edu/html/prospective/programsofstudy/dlt.htm

Portland Community College
12000 SW 49th Avenue HT 206
P.O. Box 19000
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: 503-977-4235
Program Contact: Josette Beach, Director
Email: jbeach@pcc.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science or Two Year Certificate in Dental Laboratory Technology
Credit Hours: AAS – 95, Cert – 79
Tuition: Resident $74 per credit, Non-resident $202 per credit for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.pcc.edu/programs/dental-tech/

San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78212-4299
Phone: 210-567-3056
Program Contact: Michael A. Swain
Email: mswain@alamo.edu
Completion: Associate of Science
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website: http://www.alamo.edu/sac/alldhlth/denttech/

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
P.O. Box 85622
700 East Jackson Street
Richmond, VA 23285-5622
Phone: 804-523-5931
Program Contact: Ernie Wolfe, Director
Email: ewolfe@reynolds.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science or Career Studies Certificate
Credit Hours: AAS – 72, Cert – 23
Tuition:
Website: http://www.reynolds.edu/curriculum/programs/marketingprograms/Dental_Laboratory_Technologyaas.htm

Bates Technical College
1101 S. Yakima Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98405
Phone: 253-680-7312
Program Contact: Kristina Merriman
Email: kmerriman@bates.ctc.edu
Completion: Associate of Technology Degree or Certificate of Competency
Credit Hours: Associates – 135, Cert – 74.5
Tuition: $8,634
Website: http://www.bates.ctc.edu/dentallab/

School of Health Care Sciences-Air Force
917 Missile Road
381st Training Squadron
Sheppard AFB, TX 76311-2246
Phone: 940-676-6569
Program Contact: Cdr. Timothy Bartlett
Email: kmerriman@bates.ctc.edu
Completion:
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website:

Non Accredited Schools

California Vocational College
3951 Balboa St
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-668-0103
Program Contact: Terry Weinberg
Email: TWTsunami@hotmail.com
Completion:
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website: http://cvc-dentaltech.org

Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: 925-685-1230, ext. 2353
Program Contact: Hilton Carter
Email: hcarter@dvc.edu
Completion: Associate in Science or Certificate of Achievement
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website: http://www.dvc.edu/org/departments/dental/degrees-and-certificates/index.htm
Ivory Dental Technology College
13800 Beach Blvd.
Westminster, CA 92683
Phone: 714-899-9392
Program Contact:
Email: ivory2k@aol.com
Completion: Certificate
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website:

Newton International College
11751 Monarch St
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Phone: 714-903-4588
Program Contact: Erica E. Chung, Admissions Officer
Email: erica@nac.edu
Completion: Diploma in Dental Laboratory I or Dental Laboratory Technology II
Credit Hours: 64 and 32
Tuition: $8,800, $6,500 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.nac.edu/programs/dental.htm

Simi Valley Adult School and Career Institute
1880 Blackstock Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Phone: 805-579-6273
Program Contact: Ricks Babb, CDT, Director
Email: RBabb@simi.tec.ca.us
Completion:
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website: http://www.simi.tec.ca.us/files/dental.asp

Columbus State Community College
550 E. State Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-287-3655
Program Contact: Leslie Washington
Email: lwashi01@cscc.edu
Completion: Associate of Technical Studies or Certificate
Credit Hours: ATS – 96, Cert – 43
Tuition: Ohio residents $7,584, non-resident $16,800 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.cscc.edu/DentLab/

Moore-Norman Technical Center
4701 12th Avenue NW
Norman, OK 73069
Phone: 405-364-5763 ext.7260
Program Contact: Bridgette Hyde
Email: bhyde@mntechnology.com
Completion:
Credit Hours:
Tuition:
Website: http://mntechnology.com

Quality Dental Lab School
325 Elmwood Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018
Phone: 973-414-8618
Program Contact: Joyce Bryant, Director
Email: jb@qualitydst.com
Completion: Diploma
Credit Hours:
Tuition: $4,000
Website: http://www.qualitydst.com

Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis
550 Alabama Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-543-6147
Program Contact: Donna Hood Karney, CDT
Email: donna.karney@ttcmemphis.edu
Completion: Dental Lab Technician Apprentice Certificate or Dental Laboratory Technician Diploma
Credit Hours:
Tuition: $800
Website: http://www.ttcmemphis.edu/Programs/dental%20lab.htm

AmeriTech College
12257 Business Park Drive Building 6 Suite 108
Draper, UT 84020-8126
Phone: 801-816-1444
Program Contact: Daniel Sorensen, CDT
Email:
Completion: Diploma
Credit Hours: 60
Tuition:
Website: http://www.ameritech.edu/content/?page=Dental%20Lab%20Technician

Tennessee Technology Center at Nashville
100 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN. 37209
Phone: 615-425-5566
Program Contact: Jeff Riek
Email: JRiek@ttcnashville.edu
Completion: Diploma
Credit Hours:
Tuition: $2,000
Website: http://www.ttcnashville.edu/programs/dental-lab-tech.htm

Texas State Technical College at Harlingen
Dental Laboratory Technology
1902 North Loop 499
Harlingen, TX 78550
Phone: 956-364-4726
Program Contact: Randy Bauer, CDT
Email: randy.bauer@harlingen.tstc.edu
Completion: Associate of Applied Science or Certificate
Credit Hours: AAS – 61, Cert – 52
Tuition: Texas resident – $4,087, non-resident $11,468 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/dlab/

Department of
Dental Laboratory Sciences
School of Health Professions
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
Phone: 210-567-3056
Program Contact: Pamela Lenow, Administrator
Email: lenowp@uthscsa.edu
Completion: Advanced Certificate Program or Bachelor of Science in Dental Laboratory Sciences
Credit Hours:
Tuition: Cert – $5,840 for 2009-2010
Website: http://www.uthscsa.edu/shp/dls/