DLT Introduction

Admission to the dental laboratory technology program is through a competitive application process. The DLT Admissions Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing application materials, interviewing each applicant, and accepting those who possess the best credentials. Up to 12 applicants are selected for the Associate of Science degree Program in Dental Laboratory Technology.

Residency  Admission is restricted to legal residents of the United States. Residents of other countries will not be considered for admission. For more details on residency requirements, please click here. After reading the regulations, if you have questions about residency, contact the Registrar of the LSU Health Sciences Center (504-568-4829).

Two major areas are considered in the admissions process:

1. Academic Ability. Dental Laboratory Technology is a profession in which formal education requires competency in general education studies and intensive technical training. The following information is helpful to the Admissions Committee in determining the intellectual ability of the applicants:

• Overall GPA. This numeric factor is calculated on the basis of all academic college work attempted. In order to be invited to an admissions interview, the candidate must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 2.0 based on a 4.0 academic grade scale.
• Recommendations Applicants are required to submit a Confidential Rating Form, which is included in the application packet, from one college teacher who has instructed them and has knowledge of the applicant's scholastic ability. The CRF provides the Committee with insight into the applicant's characteristics both as a student and as a person.

2. Personal Attributes Since dental technicians interact with the dental community,  the ability to communicate and cooperate with other individuals is crucial. Stress management and high ethical standards are desirable qualities. These criteria are assessed by:

• Personal interview: Each applicant deemed by the committee to be academically competitive is invited to the dental school for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee. Application files must be complete before an interview will be scheduled.
• Recommendations:  The Confidential Rating Form is designed to evaluate scholastic traits.
• Experience: Experience in a dental laboratory setting is not required but is helpful; however, knowledge of the dental laboratory technology profession is recommended. This will better enhance the applicant's understanding of a dental technician's job responsibilities.
• Aptitude: Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and the capability of creating fine detail, along with the ability to discern color, are necessary for the manipulation of various dental materials and fabrication of dental prostheses in the laboratory.

The application period is open from October through June. Send all information as quickly as possible to prevent delay of your application.  Click here for application instructions and links to forms.

Check regularly to be sure transcripts and recommendations, etc. are being sent.  Many items are needed to complete your professional school application. Do not assume items you requested will be sent. After you know the items have been sent and there has been sufficient mailing time, check with us to be sure we have everything. June 30 is the last day application materials will be accepted.

You and you alone are responsible for providing us with a complete application. To maintain an active application status, you must forward new transcripts to us as soon as they are available. Interviews, as well as acceptances, can be delayed without this information.

Recommendation letters from other teachers or supervisors are not required but are welcomed to enhance the application. These recommendations should be in the form of a letter on official letterhead stationary. Only one recommendation letter with a two-page maximum will be considered.

Credit Hours  Prior to applying for the Dental Laboratory Technology Program, a minimum of 18 of the 27 general education credits listed below must be completed at a college or university accredited by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). Non-academic courses (bowling, dancing, etc.) or courses for a specialized field of study are not acceptable. Applicants may contact the Program in Dental Laboratory Technology for information regarding the required courses.

General Education Prerequisites for the Associate of Science Degree
For the DLT program, 27 college-level general education credit hours are required. These general education credit hours are in addition to the curriculum in technology at LSUSD and must be taken at an institution whose credits are transferable to the LSU system. No more than three hours of credit will be awarded for any single course.

The following courses are the general education requirements:

Careful consideration will be given to those applicants who present evidence of prior preparation and achievement. For more information, refer to the dental laboratory technology section in the LSUHSC Catalog.)