Program Overview

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Dental Laboratory Technology Program

Overview

The Dental Laboratory Technology program at City Tech is the largest in the nation, with a prominent history, and has always been on the evolving cutting edge. In 1946, it was the first higher education program of its kind in the United States. It was the first dental technology program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association in 1954, the first program to become a certified dental lab (CDL) by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) in 1995, and the first to purchase and integrate CAD-CAM technology into the curriculum in 2004. Today, the program is a member of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Program Details

• The program prepares graduates for employment in commercial dental laboratories, hospitals, dental schools, or dental offices.
• Some graduates secure employment with dental manufacturers as managers, research assistants, education coordinators, or sales representatives.
• The inclusion of digital means of fabricating dental prosthetics—computer-aided designing and manufacturing—prepares students for gainful employment with the skill set and knowledge of both digital and analog fabrication processes.
• Employers of graduates include Sloane-Kettering Hospital, Veterans Administration Hospital, Columbia Dental School, New York University, New York City high schools, Nobel Biocare, Amann Girbach, Affordable Dentures, Aspen Dental, Creodent, Clear Choice, and others.

Faculty

• The faculty are all certified dental technologists, and some hold the designation of Master Dental Technologist.
• They are looked upon in the profession as authoritative thought leaders who publish, lecture, and contribute to various organizations in the dental profession.

Learning Outcomes

• Know generally accepted practices in the fabrication of dental appliances.
• Understand properties of materials used in the fabrication processes.
• Follow instructions from technical manuals.
• Troubleshoot errors occurring in the fabrication processes.
• Communicate using dental and anatomical terminology used in restorative dentistry profession.
• Apply knowledge of anatomical and physiological aspects to fabrication of appliances.
• Understand how to read and fulfill a dental prescription.
• Use effective communication skills.
• Incorporate safety procedures when using laboratory materials and equipment.
• Exercise discretion and good judgment in all aspects of work.
• Prepare for the Recognized Graduate Exam in Dental Laboratory Technology.
• Perform all tasks required for specialty certification in Dental Laboratory Technology.
• Know infection control procedures as it pertains to Dental Laboratory Technology.
• Apply knowledge of mathematics in determining ratios and converting measurements.
• Read and analyze literature found in the dental field.
• Demonstrate an understanding and support of the profession's code of ethics and comply with the profession's scope of practice.

Admission Requirements

• Students may apply for admission either as freshmen or through transfer from another curriculum.
• Transfer students must meet all prerequisite criteria and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
• A high school diploma or a New York State equivalency diploma is required for admission to the college.
• Applicants must meet CUNY proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics to be registered for the full program of restorative dentistry courses.

Licensure

• The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) is the preliminary examination leading to certification as a certified dental technician (CDT).
• Students who have completed all laboratory courses are eligible to take the Recognized Graduate Examination, National Board for Certification.
• After gaining work experience in the dental laboratory field, the final (or practical) portion of the certification examination may be taken in one or more of the specialties (ceramics, crown & bridge, dentures, partial dentures, orthodontics, implants, and digital workflow).

Accreditation

• The Dental Laboratory Technology degree program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements."

Additional Costs

• First Semester:
  • Uniform: $30
  • Tools and Supplies: $650
  • Books: $220
• Second Semester:
  • Tools and Supplies: $250
  • Books: $140
• Third Semester:
  • Tools and Supplies: $50
  • Books: $70
• Fourth Semester:
  • Tools and Supplies (may vary according to specialization): $350
  • Recognized Graduate Examination (National Board for Certification): $275

Requirements

General Education

• Completion requirement
• Required Common Core
  • English Composition
    • ENG 1101 - English Composition I
    • ENG 1121 - English Composition II
    • COM 1330 - Public Speaking
  • Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning
    • MAT 1275 - College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • Life and Physical Sciences
    • CHEM 1000 - Principles of Chemistry
• Flexible Common Core
  • At least one course in each of the five flexible core areas and an additional sixth course in one of them

Progression and Graduation Requirements

• Completion requirement
• Students must achieve a minimum passing grade of C in all courses which begin with the prefix RESD.
• Students may repeat a course with a RESD designation only once.

Required Courses in the Major

• Completion requirement
• List of required courses:
  • CHEM 1000 - Principles of Chemistry
  • ENG 1121 - English Composition II
  • MAT 1275 - College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • RESD 1107 - Introduction to Non-Metallic Dental Materials
  • RESD 1110 - Tooth Morphology
  • RESD 1111 - Complete Dentures I
  • RESD 1115 - Fixed Prosthodontics I
  • RESD 1211 - Complete Dentures II
  • RESD 1212 - Fixed Prosthodontics II
  • RESD 1215 - Introduction to Restorative Dental Ceramics
  • RESD 1216 - Removable Partial Dentures I
  • RESD 2307 - Science of Dental Metallurgy
  • RESD 2310 - Principles of Occlusion
  • RESD 2311 - Complete Dentures III
  • RESD 2313 - Removable Partial Dentures II
  • RESD 2314 - Restorative Dental Ceramics II
  • RESD 2409 - Laboratory Operation, Ethics and Jurisprudence
  • RESD 2411 - Complete Dentures & Maxillofacial Concepts
  • RESD 2413 - Fixed Prosthodontic Practicum II
  • RESD 2415 - Orthodontics

Overall Requirements

• Completion requirement
• Complete at least 20 credits of liberal arts and sciences
• Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence at New York City College of Technology, at least 15 of which must be from among those listed as required courses in the major
• Earn at least 64 credits

Degree Map Narrative

• A recommended semester-by-semester plan for full-time students
• Year 1:
  • Fall:
    • MAT 1275 - College Algebra and Trigonometry
    • RESD 1107 - Introduction to Non-Metallic Dental Materials
    • RESD 1110 - Tooth Morphology
    • RESD 1111 - Complete Dentures I
    • RESD 1115 - Fixed Prosthodontics I
  • Spring:
    • CHEM 1000 - Principles of Chemistry
    • RESD 1211 - Complete Dentures II
    • RESD 1212 - Fixed Prosthodontics II
    • RESD 1215 - Introduction to Restorative Dental Ceramics
    • RESD 1216 - Removable Partial Dentures I
• Year 2:
  • Fall:
    • ENG 1101 - English Composition I
    • RESD 2307 - Science of Dental Metallurgy
    • RESD 2310 - Principles of Occlusion
    • RESD 2311 - Complete Dentures III
    • RESD 2313 - Removable Partial Dentures II
    • RESD 2314 - Restorative Dental Ceramics II
    • Flexible Core - Any Area
  • Spring:
    • ENG 1121 - English Composition II
    • RESD 2409 - Laboratory Operation, Ethics and Jurisprudence
    • RESD 2411 - Complete Dentures & Maxillofacial Concepts
    • RESD 2413 - Fixed Prosthodontic Practicum II
    • RESD 2415 - Orthodontics
    • Flexible Core - Any Area