Study Dental Technology at Otago
Overview
Dental Technology is a global profession. Throughout the world there is a high demand for skilled dental technicians.
In New Zealand and Australia, dental technicians are employed by commercial dental laboratories which provide the bulk of the work for the private dental industry, the defence forces, hospitals and state health dental services. The ratio of employer to employee is approximately 1 : 3 and many dental technicians ultimately set up business for themselves. There are no barriers to becoming self-employed.
The profession of dental technology is registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2004 and graduates with a Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech) degree are automatically entitled to register with the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board in order to practise as Registered Dental Technicians. Once registered in New Zealand, there are no barriers to registration or working in Australia owing to the Trans-Tasman agreement between Australia and New Zealand to recognise each other's qualifications and registration by professional bodies.
There are also opportunities for further postgraduate study at the University of Otago. One can apply for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology (PGDipCDTech). Upon completion of the programme, a graduate can register with the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board as a Registered Clinical Dental Technician. This allows the dental technician to have direct clinical contact with patients providing a service in removable denture prosthetics. In addition there are opportunities for postgraduate study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Technology (PGDipDentTech), and the Master of Dental Technology (MDentTech) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Technology
- Master of Dental Technology (MDentTech)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology (PGDipCDTech)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Papers
See the full list of Dental Technology (DTEC) papers.
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 |
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
