student looking closely at wax gum and teeth

Contact

Erin Popov
Director/Instructor
Collins (Building 2), room 140
919-536-7200, ext. 8100
popove@durhamtech.edu

Admissions Questions

Theodore Johnson
Admissions Counselor
919-536-7200, ext. 1119
theodore.johnson@durhamtech.edu

* This program is financial aid eligible.

Dental Laboratory Technology

Long Term

The Dental Laboratory Technology curriculum prepares individuals in the art and science of fabricating dental restorations. The dental technician fabricates dentures, partials, metal or porcelain crowns, and bridges. Technicians use specialized hand instruments and equipment and also work with various dental materials.

Course work includes in-depth studies of fabrication techniques for both fixed and removable dental prostheses. The dental laboratory technology student will be exposed to classroom, laboratory, and clinical rotation training.

Graduates may qualify to take the Recognized Graduate Examination administered by the National Board for Certification and may be employed by commercial laboratories, dental office laboratories, dental manufacturers, or as the owner of a dental laboratory.


CODA - Commission on Dental AccreditationThe Dental Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312- 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. View the Commission’s website

Commission on Dental Accreditation Third-Party Comments Solicitation

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) will conduct a site visit at Durham Technical Community College March, 16-17, 2023  as part of its accreditation review. Per U.S. Department of Education requirements, the Dental Technology program must solicit third-party comments from Durham communities of interest and the general public, including faculty, students, program administrators, specialty and dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers that pertain to the standards of policies and procedures used in CODA’s accreditation process. Therefore, Durham Tech invites you to provide comments directly to CODA prior to the site visit.

Signed or unsigned comments will be accepted. Names and/or signatures will be removed by CODA prior to forwarding to the college program. All comments must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program(s) being reviewed, or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. Comments will be screened by Commission staff for relevancy. For comments not relevant to these issues, the individual will be notified that the comment is not related to accreditation and, where appropriate, referred to the appropriate agency.

Individuals who are interested in submitting third-party comments, may contact the Commission office at 1-312-440-4653 for submission guidance. Because all third-party comments must be received 60 days before the site visit, the deadline for receipt of third-party comments is Jan. 16, 2023. For additional information, please review the entire policy on Third Party Comments in the Commission’s Evaluation an Operational Policies and Procedures (EOPP) manual.

Congratulations to Erin Popov, Dental Laboratory Technology (DLT) Program Director, for receiving the 2023 National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) Educator of the Year award!

How to Apply

Program applications are accepted February 1– July 15.

Before you Apply

View the Admissions Checklist. Attend an information session (recommended). They are listed in the Upcoming Events section below.

Apply to the College

New students who are not currently enrolled at Durham Tech should apply to the College using the Health Tech Students then Steps to Apply.

Apply to the Program

Once prerequisites are completed, apply to the Dental Technology program February 1 through July 15 using the program application form. Submit program applications electronically to Admissions, Registration, and Records (not Health and Wellness). Drop off locations are also listed on the Electronic Document Submission webpage.

Estimated Tuition & Fees

$6,593

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Location

Main Campus

Minimum Credit Hours

69

First-Semester Courses

Course Number Title Credit Hours
ACA-122 College Transfer Success 1
DLT-111 Dental Anatomy/Physiology 5
DLT-114 Dental Materials 3
DLT-116 Complete Dentures 4
ENG-111 Writing and Inquiry 3

Suggested Paths

student in dental lab

“The hands-on component is my favorite part of this program, it’s so much more than just lectures and PowerPoints. We get to apply what we’ve learned after each lecture, which is great. It feels good to know that the program will give me a head start in my career and serves as a stepping stone to owning my own lab one day.”

—Xavier Murray