Dental Laboratory Technology

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). 

Graduates of the program are prepared 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.  Among the employers of the graduates of this program are 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. Over the years, many graduates have accepted teaching positions in dental technology schools while others become the owners and managers of dental laboratories in the New York area and across the country.

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

Students who have completed the program are eligible for licensure. Please see that section below for more details.

Graduates may pursue baccalaureate degrees at City Tech through the CUNY baccalaureate program, the Career and Technical Teacher Education program, or the Health Services Administration program.

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.

Students who wish to transfer from another college degree program must meet the following criteria:

1. all prerequisite criteria

2. cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Placement in the Restorative Dentistry Program

A high school diploma or a New York State equivalency diploma is required for admission to the college. However, in order to be registered for the full program of restorative dentistry courses, an applicant must meet CUNY proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics. All new students and transfer students who do not meet the above criteria will be classified as dental laboratory technology students taking introductory courses and will be considered to be members of the Department of Restorative Dentistry. During this period students must take and pass courses with corequisite support as needed to achieve proficiency.

After achieving CUNY proficiency in English and mathematics, students are admitted to Dental Laboratory Technology courses as space permits. Completion of the introductory portion of the curriculum does not guarantee progression into major courses. If the number of students meeting the stated criteria exceeds the available places, seats are allocated on the basis of the highest cumulative academic average.

Completion of the introductory portion of the curriculum does not guarantee progression into major courses. If the number of students meeting the stated criteria exceeds the available places, seats will be allocated on the basis of the highest cumulative academic average.

Licensure

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) is the preliminary examination leading to certification as a certified dental technician (CDT). RESD 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." 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. The Commission's web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.

Additional Costs

Advisement Information

Advisement is available by email, or Zoom by appointment. You can reach us by email at RESDadvisement@citytech.cuny.edu.

You can find your advisor's name in Navigate (log in with your CUNYfirst information and look at your Success Team) or in CUNYfirst—in your student center, it is viewable in the Academic Records section under “Advisor.”

Explore the Restorative Dentistry Department on the City Tech website.