Dental Laboratory

Technician
School of Nursing and Allied Health
A.A.S. DEGREE PROGRAM

INFORMATION PACKAGE
Updated: 4/10/12

Dear Prospective Student,

Thank you for inquiring about the challenging and interesting field of Dental
Laboratory Technology. Employment opportunities are currently good and are
expected to grow significantly during the next 20 to 30 years. Please consider the
following advantages of becoming a Dental Laboratory Technician and earning the
Associate of Applied Science degree at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
The Program offers beautiful facilities on the Downtown Campus with
"state-of-the-art" equipment.
The Program is closely associated with the VCU School of Dentistry
with many guest lecturers and resources available to J.S.R. students.
According to the National Association of Laboratories, salaries for
skilled technicians employed in a quality-oriented laboratory presently
might expect to earn in the $40,000 to $60,000 range."
J. Sargeant Reynolds Dental Laboratory Technology Program is the only
one in the state of Virginia. It 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 may be contacted
at 312-440-4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave. , Chicago, IL 60611.
Faculty assists all students in finding employment in area commercial
dental laboratories.
We hope that this information will answer many of your questions concerning our
Program. Please feel free to call us if you have any further questions at
804-523-5931. ibaughan@reynolds.edu
Sincerely,

Irving Baughan, CDT, M.Ed., Program Head

DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Average Salary Range: *$22,000 - $40,000
Educational Requirements: Student wishing to pursue a career as a dental laboratory
technician should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English. Dental
laboratory technicians receive their education and training through a two-year program at
community colleges, vocational schools, technical colleges, or dental schools accredited by the
Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates of these programs usually receive associate
degrees. In most cases, an individual needs a high school diploma to apply to an accredited
program. Passing an examination that evaluates their technical skills and knowledge certifies
dental laboratory technicians.
Some people become dental laboratory technicians through a five-year apprenticeship program,
with most of the training on the job.
Education Institute: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Professional Associations: Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Assoc.
National Association of Dental Laboratories
Dental laboratory technicians:
Read prescriptions and examine models and impressions to determine the type of dental
restoration to be made or repaired.
Work with models and impressions of patients teeth or mouth to make and repair
dentures, braces, crowns, and bridges based on dentists prescription.
Cast various dental alloys for fabrication of crowns, bridges, and removable partial
dentures.
Select and mount replacement teeth using color charts and tooth illustrations.
Build and fire dental porcelains.
Polish metal, plastic and porcelain surfaces to the specified finish.
Bend and solder wire to construct orthodontic retainers.
Dental laboratory technicians can specialize in various aspects of the work prescribed by dentists
and orthodontists: crown and bridge technicians, denture technicians, partial denture technicians,
ceramic technicians, and orthodontic technicians.
Dental laboratory technicians work in commercial dental laboratories. Employment
opportunities are also available in private dental offices, dental schools, hospitals, and companies
that manufacture dental prosthetic materials.
* According to the Virginia Health Occupations Catalog

Dental Laboratory Technology

Associate in Applied Science
Purpose: The major in Dental Laboratory Technology begins each fall semester and is designed
to prepare students for employment as dental laboratory technicians to provide an essential
support service for the dental professional according to the dentist's prescription or work request.
The dental laboratory technician constructs and repairs all types of dental prosthetic appliances.
Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities exist in commercial dental laboratories,
hospital dental laboratories, private dental offices, dental research laboratories, and as dental
sales representatives.
Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission.
Financial Requirements: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the Dental
Laboratory Technology program requires:
Books and Instruments $300.00 per academic year
Books and Instruments $140.00 Summer Session
Program Notes: Students admitted into this program will be approved for entry into
major/clinical courses (DNL 120 and higher) when they have satisfied the following
requirements:
1. Completion of one unit of high school mathematics with a grade of "C" or better, or a
placement recommendation for MTH 1200 and MTH 2 or equivalent.
2. Completion of all JSRCC developmental coursework prescribed as a result of JSRCC
placement tests.
3. All applicants to the Dental Laboratory Technology AAS degree program must declare
their curriculum plan as the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Career Studies Certificate if
they enroll prior to fall semester. (Please see
http://www.jsr.vccw.edu/curriculum/plan_info.htm for the information on this career
studies certificate.) In order to be officially accepted into the Dental Laboratory
Technology program, applicants must meet with the Program Head to review their
records.
4. Interview with the program head and permission to enter major/clinical courses. The
interview will include evaluation of appropriate related experience and may include a
manual dexterity. Students must provide evidence of interest, aptitude, and motivation in
dental laboratory technology. Call (804) 523-5931 for an appointment.
Any student whose final grade is below a C in any dental laboratory course must obtain
permission from the program head to continue the major in Dental Laboratory Technology.
DNL courses are sequential unless otherwise determined by the program head.
Progression through the Program: The college offers this program in affiliation with the
healthcare agencies and practitioners in the communities the college serves. The college relies
on its community affiliates to provide clinical and laboratory opportunities for its students, expert
clinical and laboratory preceptors, and course instructors for many courses. The often rapid

changes in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology and content of credentialing

examinations increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the programs course content, policies,
procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student
continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog
curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond the control of the college may necessitate
the postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled
courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor of
courses after instruction has started.
All applicants to the Dental Laboratory Technology program must complete a computer
competency placement test prior to enrollment in their first semester of courses. Students not
passing this test will be required to complete a basic computer competency course prior to or
concurrently with DNL 175. (See program advisor.)

Program Accreditation: The program in Dental Laboratory Technology is accredited by the

Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval
without reporting requirements. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized
accrediting body recognized the United States Department of Education. The Commission on
Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL
60611.

CURRICULUM
Section
DNL 100
DNL 110
DNL 120
DNL 130
SDV 100
DNL 135
DNL 136
NAS 105
MTH 120
ENG 111
DNL 137
DNL 138
DNL 160
___ ___
DNL 1751
DNL 220
___ ___
ENG 112
DNL 216
DNL 231
DNL 298
PSY 120
PSY 201

Course Title
Professional Ethics and Dental History
Dental Laboratory Materials
Dental Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction to Complete Dentures
College Success Skills
Total
Introduction to Removable Partial Dentures
Principles of Occlusion
Natural Science Topics for Modern Society
Introduction to Mathematics
College Composition I
Total
Orthodontic and Pedodontic Appliances
Introduction to Fixed Prosthodontics
Removable Prosthodontic Techniques
Health or Physical Education
Total
Dental Laboratory Management
Introduction to Dental Ceramics
Humanities Elective
College Composition II
Total
Dental Laboratory Practicum
Advanced Dental Laboratory Techniques I
Seminar and Project
Human Relations OR
Introduction to Psychology I
Total
Total Minimum Credits for AAS Degree in
Dental Laboratory Technology

Lec Hrs
2
2
2
3
1
10
3
2
2
3
3
13
2
3
2
0-2
7-9
2
3
3
3
11
1
2
1-2

Lab Hrs
0
3
3
9
0
15
9
3
0
0
0
12
3
9
3
0-4
15-19
0
9
0
0
9
15
0
0

Course Cre
2
3
3
6
1
15
6
3
2
3
3
17
3
6
3
2
14
2
6
3
3
14
6
2
1-2

3
7-8

0
15

3
12-13
72

Students must pass the computer competency placement test or complete a basic computer
competency course prior to or concurrently with DNL 175.

The Art & Science of Dental Laboratory Technology

Dental laboratory technology is the art and science of fabricating corrective
replacements for natural teeth.
Good teeth -- and good dental care -- affect our health and well being in ways we often
take for granted. Clear speech, proper nutrition, and the correct function of certain cranial
structures all depend in part on our teeth. When we lose teeth -- through accident or illness -they generally need to be replaced to maintain these functions. This is called restorative (or
prosthetic) dentistry.
Often, teeth must be moved or stabilized to optimize these functions or prevent painful
dysfunction. This is called orthodontic treatment.
The patients dentist will plan the treatment and place the restoration or corrective device in the
patients mouth. However, there is another skilled artisan behind the science, working on the
written orders or prescription of the dentist, who fabricates the restoration or device. This is the
dental technician.
The Art
Each restoration the technician makes will be different, an each must simulate the function of the
natural teeth. However, beyond that, the technicians great challenge is to capture and recreate
both the perfection and the imperfection of natural teeth.
The Science
There is a constantly evolving variety of material available to dental technicians for recreating
the appearance of natural teeth in fixed restorations (such as crowns and bridge): mainly
ceramics, plastics and metal alloys. For removable restorations (such as dentures) and corrective
devices, the technician must understand physical forces and the characteristics and handling
properties of wires and plastic materials.
The Necessary Skills
Good candidates for careers in dental technology usually possess good eye-hand coordination
and color perception, dexterity in using small instruments, the patience to attend to minute detail,
and an interest in learning the underlying material sciences.
Employment Outlook
Because many people are completely unaware of dental technology, this career has not
historically attracted large numbers of new entries into the field. However, as restorative
dentistry becomes more sophisticated, the dental profession is seeking more highly skilled dental
technicians to provide the services and products they require to offer optimum treatment to their
patients. At the same time, the U.S. military services -- once the largest single source of dental
technology training -- are training fewer technicians. Dental schools are teaching a decreasing
amount of dental technology to dental students, which, in turn, make them more dependent upon
the skills and knowledge of the dental technician.

This could be a very fine time to consider a career in dental technology!

The Work Setting
Most dental technicians are employed in commercial dental laboratories (laboratories that
provide services to a number of different dentists). Commercial dental laboratories are often
very small, having only two or three employees; but they range in size to over 200 people. Some
private dental offices have their own laboratory, usually with just one or two technicians doing
the laboratory work for just the dentist(s) practicing in that office.
The military services still train and employ a number of dental technicians, as do government
and private hospitals and companies that manufacture dental prosthetic materials. Schools
teaching dental technology offer some teaching positions for experienced technicians.
Dental technology is also an excellent field for persons who dream of owning their own business
someday. It is imperative, however, that technicians who wish to become entrepreneurs first
educate themselves in sound business practices.
Getting Started
Many dental laboratories -- larger ones in particular -- offer positions for trainees. Persons hired
at the entry level may rapidly progress to being productive employees performing a limited range
of laboratory procedures. Whether (and how soon) the trainee will have additional opportunities
to learn more advanced tasks and underlying theory will depend entirely upon the employers
needs and resources.
Anther route to a career in dental technology is by completing one of the two-year courses in
dental technology offered through accredited dental technology education programs. These
courses provide students with broad-based theory and an introduction to laboratory procedures
across the various dental technology specialties. A graduate may expect to be hired at a salary
not significantly higher than that paid to a trainee, but should be able to progress far more rapidly
to professional-level skills.
Earnings
Because of the variety of employment settings, and the wide possible range of skills and skilllevels, it is difficult to establish meaningful averages for technicians earnings. Base on
advertised salaries, a skilled technician employed in a quality-oriented laboratory presently might
expect to earn in the $40,000 - $60,000 range. A laboratory owners earnings will depend
largely on the clientele he/she decides to serve, and, more importantly, on his or her financial
management skills.

The Professional Dental Technician

States set no minimum qualification for persons to be employed as dental technicians, and so the
field exhibits a wide range of skills and abilities. Technicians who have at least five years of
education and experiences in dental technology may wish to distinguish themselves by taking the
examination to become Certified Dental Technicians (CDTs).
New materials, techniques, and equipment are regularly introduced to dental technology, and it is
essential that dental technicians maintain state-of-the-art information and skills through frequent
attendance at continuing education programs offered throughout the country.
Want more information?
Visit the National Association of Dental Laboratories web site and find out how you can start a
career as a Dental Technician. www.nadl.org The American Dental Association website also has
career information at: www.ada.org

Technology Today

There are more than 60,000 active dental laboratory technicians in the U.S. today.
Dental laboratory technicians follow dentist written instructions and make dental prostheses
- replacements for natural teeth that enable people who have lost some or all of their teeth to
eat, chew, talk and smile in a manner similar to the way they did before.
Skill in using small hand instruments, accuracy, artistic ability and attention to minute detail
are the hallmarks of the qualified dental laboratory technician.
The majority of dental laboratory technicians work in commercial dental laboratories, which
on average employ between 3 and 5 technicians. Additionally, some dentists employ dental
technicians in their private dental offices. Since most dentist use laboratory services,
employment opportunities in this field are excellent.
Employment opportunities for dental technicians may also be available in dental schools,
hospitals, the military, and companies that manufacture dental prosthetic materials. Dental
laboratory technology education programs also offer some teaching positions for qualified
technicians.

Technology Tomorrow

The demand for dental services will continue to grow. Due to the success of preventive
dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, the growing older population will retain
their teeth longer, and will be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care.
Dentists will need to use the services of dental technicians more than ever before to meet the
increased demand for dental services. www.ada.org