Restorative Dental Technology – Associate in Science Degree, Certificate of Achievement

Top Code:

1240.30

The Pasadena City College Restorative Dental Technology Program curriculum prepares a student for employment in a private or commercial dental laboratory or dental office performing restorative dental techniques and procedures. Emphasis is on fundamental and advanced laboratory procedures and concepts in all specialized areas: removable complete dentures, crown and fixed partial dentures, dental ceramics, removable partial dentures, implants, digital dentistry CAD CAM (three levels), and orthodontics and pedodontics. Instruction includes courses in intraoral and facial structures, dental materials, two levels of dental anatomy, articulator instrumentation, functional anatomy, dental calculations, dental laboratory management, juris prudence, and legalities, as well as workplace readiness and dental communications. Students learn in two fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to fixed and removable prosthetic fabrication and a digital workflow area. Students learn from caring, dedicated, and experienced faculty.

The Restorative Dental Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Program is also a member of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL). Upon successful completion of the curriculum, a student is eligible to take the written Recognized Graduate Examination given by the National Board for Certification.

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better. Pasadena City College will also award an Associate in Science Degree with a major in Restorative Dental Technology upon successful completion of courses prescribed for the Certificate of Achievement in the Restorative Dental Technology Program and completion of certain general education classes. Please consult with a college counselor or the college catalog for more information. Students must provide their own transportation to off-campus laboratory sites for their Clinical Experience course during the second year.

Fabricating a dental prosthesis is a tremendously detailed procedure that requires knowledge of structural mechanics, metallurgy, materials science, chemistry, biology, physiology, physics, head and neck anatomy, colorimetry and esthetics. A good restorative dental technologist not only possesses working knowledge in these areas, but also has great manual and perceptual skills. The Pasadena City College Restorative Dental Technology Program has been providing a well-rounded education in restorative dental technology since 1967.

Eligibility for Entrance into the Restorative Dental Technology Program:

  1. Graduation from a U.S. accredited high school, GED, or the equivalent (such as officially translated/evaluated transcripts1 from a high school or college in another country) with a 2.0 grade point average.
  2. A Restorative Dental Technology Application for Admission signed, dated and filled out completely.
  3. Satisfactory scores on Manual Dexterity and Hand/Eye Coordination Exams that are given by appointment with the Restorative Dental Technology Admissions Coordinator. Please call (626) 585–7200 to schedule an appointment.
  4. One official U.S. high school transcript or official GED Certificate or official Equivalency Report from one of the college’s acceptable companies; not required if Associate or higher degree is already posted on official U.S. college transcripts. 1
  5. One official transcript from all U. S. colleges and universities attended including Pasadena City College. 1
1

Unofficial transcripts and photocopies of diplomas are not acceptable.

Please note that upon acceptance to the Restorative Dental Technology Program the College’s Records Office will also require a second set of official transcripts and a health clearance by a physician.

The Restorative Dental Technology 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:

211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440–4653
http://www.ada.org/100.aspx

Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate competence in performing basic and advanced level laboratory procedures and techniques required to design and fabricate fixed and removable dental prostheses and basic orthodontic appliances appropriate for an entry-level restorative dental technologist as verified by skills and knowledge specified in the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Standards for Dental Laboratory Technology.
  • Apply basic knowledge of physical properties, uses and manipulation of dental materials to insure proper materials are used in correct proportions for specific restorative procedures and that appropriate safety and function as a member of a diverse dental team demonstrating cultural sensitivity.

Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement

Semester I
RDT 125ABEGINNING FIXED PROSTHODONTICS4
RDT 130ABEGINNING COMPLETE DENTURES4
RDT 135ABEGINNING DENTAL ANATOMY2.5
RDT 140ABEGINNING DIGITAL DENTISTRY CAD CAM I1.5
RDT 145DENTAL MATERIALS2
RDT 150DENTAL COMMUNICATION AND WORKPLACE READINESS SKILLS0.5
Semester II
RDT 125BINTERMEDIATE FIXED PROSTHODONTICS5
RDT 130BADVANCED COMPLETE DENTURES5
RDT 135BINTERMEDIATE DENTAL ANATOMY2.5
RDT 140BINTERMEDIATE DIGITAL DENTISTRY CAD CAM II1.5
RDT 155ANATOMY OF ORAL AND FACIAL STRUCTURES1
RDT 160DENTAL CALCULATIONS, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES0.5
Semester III
RDT 225ABEGINNING REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES (RPDs)4
RDT 230AINTERMEDIATE ADVANCED FIXED PROSTHODONTICS5
RDT 235AFUNCTIONAL OCCLUSION AND ARTICULATOR INSTRUMENTATION2.5
RDT 240ADVANCED DIGITAL DENTISTRY CAD CAM III1.5
RDT 245ORTHODONTICS AND PEDODONTICS3
RDT 250LABORATORY BUS. MGMT/ ADMIN, LEGALITIES, ETHICS AND JURISPRUDENCE1
Semester IV
RDT 225BADVANCED REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES (RPDs)3
RDT 230BADVANCED FIXED PROSTHODONTICS5
RDT 235BADVANCED FUNCTIONAL OCCLUSION AND BIOMECHANICS OF THE MASTICATORY SYSTEM2.5
RDT 255INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL IMPLANTS2
RDT 260TRANSITION TO THE RESTORATIVE DENTAL TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION1.5
RDT 265CLINICAL EXPERIENCE3
Total Units64

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Science Degree

Visit the Program Mapper for a suggested sequence of courses.