Dental technology programs are available at community colleges and technical schools. These programs prepare students to work in dental practices as dental technicians.
Schools with Dental Technology Programs
These schools have dental technology programs that may include both classroom and laboratory work.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition and Fees 2015-2016* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $3,681 in-state, $8,676 out-of-state |
| Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $1,298 in-state, $7,542 out-of-state |
| Florida National University-Main Campus | Hialeah, FL | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit | Diploma, Associate's | $13,250 |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello, ID | 4-year, Public | Associate's | $6,784 in-state, $20,182 out-of-state |
| San Antonio College | San Antonio, TX | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $2,088 $5,550 in-district, $5,550 in-state, $10,740 out-of-state |
Source: *National Center for Educational Statistics
School Selection Criteria
Consider the following when choosing a dental technology program:
- Students should take into the consideration the amount of time they have available to dedicate to their studies. Certificate programs usually take around a year to complete, while associate's degrees can be completed in two years.
- Students should choose a program that is accredited by the National Board for Certification of Dental Technicians, especially if they plan to sit for exams.
- Students may find business courses are helpful if they would like to start your own venture in the field of dental technology.
- Some programs require students to fulfill prerequisites, such as passing a wax-carving test.
Dental Technology Program Overviews
Certificate in Dental Technology
Certificate programs in dental technology train students to make dentures, bridges, caps and a variety of other dental prosthetics. Some schools may offer certificate programs specific to one of these techniques.
Associate of Science in Dental Technology
An Associate of Science in Dental Technology will equip a student to work in dental labs and dentists' offices. These 2-year programs consist of classroom and laboratory dental technology training.
A dental technology program teaches students how to make dental prosthetics, and graduates may work in dental labs and dentist offices. Students should choose accredited programs, and might consider programs that offer business courses if they intend to start their own business venture.
