FAQ: Restorative Dental Technology Programs
Please join an information session for more information not listed below or email Erin Popov, program director popove@durhamtech.edu.
- What is the difference between Certificates and the Associate Degree?
Certificates are short-term programs that focus on specific dental courses within a particular specialty. They provide an opportunity to enhance skills for individuals already working in the dental field or those looking to enter the industry. Certificates are an excellent way to strengthen a resume for dental school applications or as a direct pathway to the workforce.
- Can certificates count towards an Associate Degree?
Yes, dental courses are available to both certificate and associate degree students simultaneously. If a student later decides to pursue an associate degree, the dental courses they’ve already completed will count toward the degree, and there is no need to repeat them. Students will simply need to update their pathway with the Office of Admissions, Registration and Records.
- Can I earn a Certified Dental Technician (CDT) Certification upon graduation?
The Restorative Dental Technology program is CODA accredited, so graduates of the associate degree program (not certificate programs) are eligible to take the Recognized Graduate Examination (RGE) administered by the National Board for Certification. Completing the RGE provides a faster pathway to earn CDT certification.
For more information, visit .
Students who complete only a certificate and wish to pursue CDT certification must have five years of work experience before being eligible to take the exam.
For further details on earning your CDT, visit .
- Are there online course options?
Due to the hands-on nature of the coursework, which requires specialized materials, equipment, and direct instructor oversight to meet competency requirements, most courses are offered in-person at the Main Campus. Currently, the only fully online course available is DLT-219.
Fixed Prosthodontics courses are blended, with the majority of the coursework held in person, while some online assignments and lab work will be completed using LabStats.
- What are the general timeframes for dental courses?
Courses are typically offered in the mornings (8:00 or 9:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.) or afternoons (1:00 or 2:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.). Students may have both morning and afternoon classes. Most courses are scheduled Monday through Thursday, with the exception of DLT-224 (Dental Lab Practice) during the final semester, which may require clinical hours on Fridays. Currently, the only evening course offered is DLT-119, available during the summer semester.