Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech)
Overview
Dental Technology is the technical side of dentistry where a dental technician, on prescription of a dentist, makes any prosthesis or appliance for the head and neck. This could consist of:
- Artificial teeth such as complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns and bridges and implant supported dentures in various materials such as acrylics, alloys, and ceramics;
- Removable orthodontic appliances consisting of springs and retainers in acrylic bases for the movement of teeth. Mouth guards to protect against sports injuries;
- Maxillofacial appliances such as artificial eyes, ears, and facial prostheses that may be required after surgical treatment.
Dental technicians do not have direct contact with patients. Instead they work in a dental laboratory where various prosthetic appliances are custom made. Dental technicians can be thought of as artists who, with a thorough understanding of dental materials science, use their artistic skills to fabricate the form, colour and function of individual teeth or maxillofacial prostheses for a patient. The fact that the product can affect the health and appearance of a person demands of the technician a high level of responsibility and accuracy. For this reason, the profession of dental technology is registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2004. Graduates with the Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech) degree are automatically entitled to register with the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech)
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 18 18 51 15 18 | |
| 2nd year | 18 45 45 12 | |
| 3rd year | 45 45 12 18 |
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech)
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Faculty of Dentistry.
(b) Every applicant must present evidence of ability to undertake the programme and normally would have a minimum of 14 Level 3 NCEA credits in Chemistry and a minimum of 14 Level 2 NCEA credits in Physics, or approved equivalent. Although not required, study of Biology to at least NCEA Level 2 would be an advantage.
2 Structure of the Programme
Every programme of study shall satisfy the programme requirements above.
3 Duration of the Programme
The duration of the programme shall be three academic years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study, provided the programme is completed within six years.
4 Assessment
(a) Assessment for all papers will usually comprise two components: a theoretical component, and a clinical, practical or technical component.
(b) Both components will have summative internal assessments and may have a final examination.
(c) Summative internal assessments will be complemented by formative assessments and shall consist of such written, clinical, practical and oral assessments, either singly or as part of a group, as the Faculty requires. Students will be advised of the requirements for summative assessment at the commencement of each year of study.
(d) Final examination of the theoretical component shall consist of written papers and may include oral examinations or alternative examination formats as the examiners require. Final examination of the clinical, practical or technical component shall consist of such oral, clinical, practical or technical examinations as the examiners may require.
(e) To pass any paper a mark of 50% or above must be gained in both the theoretical component and the clinical, practical or technical component.
(f) The weighting of theoretical and clinical, practical or technical components to determine the final mark may vary from paper to paper.
(g) If either the theoretical component or the clinical, practical or technical component of a paper is failed, the paper will be deemed to be failed. If a paper has multiple modules, candidates will be required to pass the theoretical and clinical, practical or technical components of each module. On the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and with the approval of the Faculty, a student may be given an opportunity to undertake remedial activity and to be re-assessed in a special examination in the component that has been failed. Special examinations may take the form of such written, clinical, practical and oral assessment as the Faculty requires.
(h) Candidates will be informed whether they are required to undertake remedial activity and sit special examinations when results are submitted to the Examinations Office.
(i) If more than one component is failed, the student may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and with the approval of the Faculty, be required to repeat the paper. A student who repeats a paper must repeat both components of that paper.
(j) Special consideration may be given if a student is unavailable to sit a summative internal assessment or final examination due to health problems or unforeseen personal circumstances. Supporting documentation must be submitted to the Faculty Operations Manager as soon as practicable.
5 Withdrawal from the Programme
(a) A student who withdraws on or before 10 July in the year of admission to first year classes will be required to reapply for admission to first year classes in the programme.
(b) A student who withdraws at any other time during the programme will be required to apply for readmission to the Faculty Operations Manager by 1 September of the year prior to that for which readmsiion is sought. Such a student will be readmitted only on the recommendation of the Faculty of Dentistry.
6 Exclusion from the Programme
Any candidate who, in two academic years, fails to qualify for admission to, or to pass, all papers which constitute a complete year of the programme, may be excluded from further enrolment for the degree by the Board of the Division of Health Sciences, on the recommendation of the Faculty of Dentistry.
7 Variations
On the recommendation of the Faculty, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may, in exceptional circumstances, approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Notes:
(1) An application for admission to the programme is required; this is separate from the enrolment process. Applications should reach the Health Sciences Admissions Office by 1 November in the year preceding that in which the programme is to be commenced.
(2) Candidates who have passed CHEM 191 and/or PHSI 191 will not be required to repeat those papers. Those who have passed approved equivalents may be eligible for exemption from CHEM 191 and/or PHSI 191. Candidates who are not required to take CHEM 191 and/or PHSI 191 will normally be required to take additional approved papers.
Subject Area
Further Information
The Faculty Operations Manager
Faculty of Dentistry
University of Otago
PO Box 647
Dunedin
New Zealand
Tel 64 3 479 7037
Fax 64 3 479 0673
Email dentistry@otago.ac.nz
