Dental Laboratory Technology < Portland Community College

Sylvania Campus
Health Technology Building (HT), Room 206
971-722-4236

Health Admissions Office
College Center (CC), Room 208
971-722-4795

Career and Program Description

As of Fall 2018, this program is no longer accepting new students. The dental laboratory technologist is a professional member of the dental team and is considered the “artist” of that group. Using an order from a dentist, the technician designs and fabricates dental replacements such as crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontic appliances. In the process, the technician carves complex structures and designs in wax, casts and finishes a variety of metals, and duplicates tooth form and color in acrylic resin or porcelain materials. Additionally, the newest CAD/CAM scanning and milling technology is taught.

Students enrolled in the Dental Laboratory Technology Program will be required to wear safety glasses or goggles and face masks during procedures that produce airborne particulate matter. Additional protective wear and gear may be required. Safety policies, procedures and protocols are taught and reinforced throughout the curriculum according to industry standards and OSHA regulations to provide a safe learning environment. All aspects of the Dental Laboratory Technology Program are continually assessed to provide on-going excellence and continuing improvement, and are subject to change.

PCC offers a two-year program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. All prerequisites must be completed by summer term in the year in which you apply. The program starts fall term only. Enrollment is limited, so students are encouraged to apply early. Application forms may be obtained from www.pcc.edu/dlt and should be submitted to:

Health Admissions Office
Sylvania Campus, CC 208
Portland Community College
P.O. Box 19000
Portland, Oregon 97280-0990

For more information, call 971 722-4795

Skill Upgrade Courses: Laboratory practicums are offered to experienced technicians who wish to upgrade their skills in any of the five specialties or to learn CAD/CAM Technology. Laboratory credits vary from 1-5, depending on the technicians needs.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Dental Laboratory Technology

Two-Year Certificate

Dental Laboratory Technology

Academic Prerequisites

As of Fall 2018, this program is no longer accepting new students.

GED, high school graduation or minimum college GPA of 2.0. (Proof of completion/graduation/college transcript must be submitted in your application).
Completion of RD 90 or IRW 90 with a C or better or equivalent placement test score.
Placement into MTH 20 .
This is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment.

Academic Requirements

None

Non-Academic Prerequisites

Satisfactory performance of wax carving tests (prerequisite).
Students must show evidence of having begun or completed the immunization series for Hepatitis B.

Non-Academic Requirements

None

Dental Laboratory Technology AAS Degree

Minimum 91 credits. Students must also meet Associate Degree Comprehensive Requirements and Associate of Applied Science Requirements. Students must complete a total of sixteen credits of General Education. Some courses specified within the program may be used as General Education. Math/computation competency is met through the courses in the program of study indicated with a § symbol. Students should consult with program advisors for course planning. As of Fall 2018, this program is no longer accepting new students.

Course of Study

The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.

First Term		Credits
DT 101^§	Dental Technology Lab I	6
DT 120^§	Dental Anatomy	2
DT 141	Denture Techniques I	2
DT 151	Science of Dental Materials I	2
Second Term
DT 102^§	Dental Technology Lab II	6
DT 142	Denture Techniques II	2
DT 152	Science of Dental Materials II	3
HE 125	First Aid & Industrial Safety	3
General Education		4
Third Term
DT 103^§	Dental Technology Lab III	6
DT 271^§	Partials, Immediate, and Overdentures	2
Any COMM course on General Education List		4
DT Degree Electives		4
Fourth Term
DT 204^§	Dental Technology Lab IV	6
DT 253^§	Science of Dental Materials III	2
DT 270^§	Inlay Casting, Crown and Bridge	3
DT 275^§	Dental Laboratory Management	2
Fifth Term
DT 205^§	Dental Technology Lab V	6
DT 254^§	Science of Dental Materials IV	2
DT 272^§	Dental Ceramics	3
DT 276^§	Dental Laboratory Management Lab	1
General Education		4
Sixth Term
DT 206A^§	Dental Technology Lab VI (Fabrication Ortho Appliances)	3
DT 206B^§	Dental Technology Lab VII (CAD/CAM and Implant Restorations)	3
DT 284	Dental Specialties	2
DT 286^§	DT Registered Graduate Preparation	2
DT 287^§	Introduction to CAD/CAM Technology and Dental Implant System	2
General Education		4
	Total Credits:	91

Course cannot be substituted for another course.

Dental Laboratory Technology Degree Electives

BA 101	Introduction to Business	4
BA 226	Business Law I	4
EC 200 ^*	Introduction to Economics	4
EC 201 ^*	Principles of Economics: Microeconomics	4
EC 216 ^*	Labor Markets: Economics of Gender, Race, and Work	4
ESR 172 ^*	Environmental Science: Chemical Perspectives	4
FN 225	Nutrition	4
HE 242	Stress and Human Health	4
PSY 240 ^*	Personal Awareness and Growth	4
SOC 231 ^*	Sociology of Health & Aging	4

Dental Laboratory Technology Two-Year Certificate

Minimum 75 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. As of Fall 2018, this program is no longer accepting new students.

Course of Study

The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.

First Term		Credits
DT 101^§	Dental Technology Lab I	6
DT 120^§	Dental Anatomy	2
DT 141	Denture Techniques I	2
DT 151	Science of Dental Materials I	2
Second Term
DT 102^§	Dental Technology Lab II	6
DT 142^§	Denture Techniques II	2
DT 152	Science of Dental Materials II	3
HE 125	First Aid & Industrial Safety	3
Third Term
DT 103^§	Dental Technology Lab III	6
DT 271^§	Partials, Immediate, and Overdentures	2
Any COMM course on General Education list^§		4
Fourth Term
DT 204	Dental Technology Lab IV	6
DT 253	Science of Dental Materials III	2
DT 270	Inlay Casting, Crown and Bridge	3
DT 275^§	Dental Laboratory Management	2
Fifth Term
DT 205	Dental Technology Lab V	6
DT 254	Science of Dental Materials IV	2
DT 272	Dental Ceramics	3
DT 276^§	Dental Laboratory Management Lab	1
Sixth Term
DT 206A	Dental Technology Lab VI (Fabrication Ortho Appliances)	3
DT 206B	Dental Technology Lab VII (CAD/CAM and Implant Restorations)	3
DT 284	Dental Specialties	2
DT 286	DT Registered Graduate Preparation	2
DT 287^§	Introduction to CAD/CAM Technology and Dental Implant System	2
	Total Credits:	75

Course contains Related Instruction and cannot be substituted with another course; Related Instruction details can be viewed here.

DT 101. Dental Technology Lab I. 6 Credits.

Introduces the use and operation of dental laboratory equipment, the application of safety principles, and the fabrication process of complete removable dentures. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 120, DT 141, and DT 151. Audit available.

DT 102. Dental Technology Lab II. 6 Credits.

Introduces full denture construction, processing technique, articulation, reline, repair, and rebase. Covers tooth anatomy as it relates to biomechanics. Prerequisites: DT 101. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 142 and DT 152. Audit available.

DT 103. Dental Technology Lab III. 6 Credits.

Covers fabrication of partial dentures, partial denture frameworks, immediate dentures and overdentures. Prerequisites: DT 102. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 271. Audit available.

DT 120. Dental Anatomy. 2 Credits.

Studies basic forms, structures and functions of teeth and their surrounding tissues. Audit available.

DT 141. Denture Techniques I. 2 Credits.

History and philosophy of complete removable dentures with an introduction to the construction process. Artificial tooth selection and setting procedures emphasized. Audit available.

DT 142. Denture Techniques II. 2 Credits.

Continues the study of denture construction, including immediate dentures and over-dentures. Includes the use of articulators, finishing procedures, reline, rebase and repair techniques. Prerequisites: DT 141, DT 101, and DT 151. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 102 and DT 152. Audit available.

DT 151. Science of Dental Materials I. 2 Credits.

Overview of materials used in dentistry such as gypsum products, waxes and impression materials. Audit available.

DT 152. Science of Dental Materials II. 3 Credits.

Introduces chemistry and physics, especially as they relate to dental materials. Measurement techniques and unit conversions are stressed. Audit available.

DT 204. Dental Technology Lab IV. 6 Credits.

Provides an opportunity to develop skills in the processes and procedures associated with dental crown and bridge construction. Includes dental inlays processes and procedures. Audit available.

DT 205. Dental Technology Lab V. 6 Credits.

Covers the uses of porcelain and acrylic in crown and bridge construction with emphasis on color and form reproduction. Audit available.

DT 206A. Dental Technology Lab VI (Fabrication Ortho Appliances). 3 Credits.

Covers fabrication of removable and fixed orthodontic appliances. Prerequisites: DT 204 and DT 205. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 284. Audit available.

DT 206B. Dental Technology Lab VII (CAD/CAM and Implant Restorations). 3 Credits.

Covers design and fabrication of fixed dental prosthodontics with CAD/CAM technology and fabrication of dental implant supported restorations. Prerequisites: DT 204 and DT 205. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 287. Audit available.

DT 253. Science of Dental Materials III. 2 Credits.

Continues to examine dental materials as related to cast metal alloys and crown and bridge construction. Prerequisite: DT 152 or instructor permission. Audit available.

DT 254. Science of Dental Materials IV. 2 Credits.

Covers advanced study of dental materials including ceramics (porcelain) and high fusing metal alloys. Prerequisite: DT 253 or instructor permission. Audit available.

DT 270. Inlay Casting, Crown and Bridge. 3 Credits.

Introduces crown and bridge construction processes and techniques including preparation and waxing of dies, investing, casting, and finishing. Covers principles applied to dental inlays. Corequisite: DT 205. Audit available.

DT 271. Partials, Immediate, and Overdentures. 2 Credits.

Covers the study of philosophy, materials, design, and fabrication processes of removable overdentures and partial and immediate dentures. Prerequisites: DT 102, DT 142. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 103. Audit available.

DT 272. Dental Ceramics. 3 Credits.

Covers dental ceramics (porcelain), including the philosophy, structure, properties, uses, and laboratory procedures associated with this material. Prerequisite: DT 270 or instructor approval. Corequisites: DT 204. Audit available.

DT 275. Dental Laboratory Management. 2 Credits.

Introduces management skills and responsibilities as well as the problems associated with dental laboratory ownership. Prerequisites: Must be accepted and registered in the Dental Laboratory Technology Program or instructor permission. Audit available.

DT 276. Dental Laboratory Management Lab. 1 Credit.

Computer-based exercises in techniques required for small business management. Audit available.

DT 284. Dental Specialties. 2 Credits.

Introduces dental specialties and advanced techniques that involve participation and skill development of the dental lab technician. Audit available.

DT 286. DT Registered Graduate Preparation. 2 Credits.

Covers workplace preparation including professional ethics, organizations, opportunities, certification requirements and preparation for Registered Graduate (RG) testing through the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC). Prerequisites: DT 270 and DT 272. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 287.

DT 287. Introduction to CAD/CAM Technology and Dental Implant System. 2 Credits.

Introduces CAD/CAM technology and Dental Implant Systems, and provides an overview of the oral care delivery system. Includes new emerging technology, products and procedures. Prerequisites: DT 270 and DT 272. Prerequisite/concurrent: DT 206A and DT 206B. Audit available.