Kirkwood’s Dental Technology program — one of only 13 accredited programs in the nation and the only one in Iowa — prepares you in five specialty areas: dentures, partial dentures, ceramics, orthodontics, and crowns and bridges.
The goal and challenge for a dental technician is to create a restoration that is a perfect match to a patient’s natural tooth. Artistic and creative abilities are valuable assets for a dental technician.
During your training, you'll work with commercial dental laboratories, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and the UI Hospitals & Clinics' Hospital Dentistry to gain hands-on experience.
Dental Technology is no longer accepting new students. The program will close after currently enrolled students complete their studies. Please contact Allied Health for more information.
Kirkwood offers more than $3 million in scholarships for students each year, and there are many specifically for students enrolled in the Dental Technology program!
A one-hour program conference is required prior to acceptance to the program. You'll learn more about the program, specific admissions requirements, and have the opportunity to have questions answered by program faculty and staff.
School Year: 2024–25
Program Entry Semester: Fall
| Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours per Semester | 14 | 15 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 75 |
| In-State Tuition | $3,038 | $3,255 | $2,387 | $3,689 | $3,906 | $16,275 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $250 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $0 | $500 | $0 | $650 | $1,150 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $651 | $268 | $125 | $404 | $0 | $1,448 |
| Course/Section Fees | $235 | $335 | $100 | $200 | $90 | $960 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Testing Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $490 | $490 |
| Tool Sets | $1,021.50 | $0 | $125.75 | $0 | $0 | $1,147.25 |
| Uniforms | $55 | $0 | $0 | $35 | $0 | $90 |
| Other | $15 | $0 | $84 | $0 | $0 | $99 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $5,065.50 | $3,908 | $3,371.75 | $4,378 | $5,186 | $21,909.25 |
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change.
To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
To get into the Dental Technology program, you must meet the following additional standards. These steps/requirements are in addition to Kirkwood's steps to become a student:
Kirkwood and Dental Technology admissions policies and procedures are subject to change at any time. After all admissions criteria are met, students are accepted or placed on the waitlist to the Dental Technology program.
The Dental Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of compliance with reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Graduates are eligible to take the Recognized Graduate examination, which is one of the first steps leading to certification as a certified dental technician (CDT). This examination is administered by the National Board of Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology.
Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. View the state listing guide to identify which Kirkwood program fulfills state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.
The mission of the Dental Technology program is to prepare a diverse group of competent, ethical dental technologists who are assets to the field of dentistry.
Graduates with Dental Technology degrees can obtain jobs in a variety of different career opportunities.
Good eye/hand coordination and attention to detail.
General education courses are a good place to start. The curriculum sheet identifies those classes which can be taken before beginning the program. Let us know, and we will assist you with registration.
Clinic sites can be anywhere in Iowa. We attempt to assign a clinic site within traveling distance of our main campus.
Between $15-$25 per hour, depending on the location of the laboratory and the efficiency of the graduate. Salary potential drastically escalates as proficiency is proven. There is no salary ceiling since technicians can own their own laboratories.
No. Certification is not required, but it does demonstrate professional competence. After successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. The exam can be taken after successfully completing the Recognized Graduate exam. Only one specialty may be taken at a time. The majority of the managers, department supervisors and lab owners are certified.
A graduate who is flexible, has a good work ethic, is dependable and can follow directions is a valuable employee. Since a lab produces dental products, efficient employees are valuable and earn better salaries.
Explore Dental Technology at Kirkwood.