A Diploma in Dental Technician program provides students with the knowledge and skills required to work in dental laboratories, assisting dentists and other dental professionals in the fabrication of dental prostheses, such as dentures, bridges, and crowns. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory training to prepare graduates for a career in the field of dental technology.
Below is an overview of the typical syllabus for a Diploma in Dental Technician program:
- Dental Anatomy and Physiology: This module covers the structure and function of the teeth and the surrounding tissues, including the oral cavity, the gingiva, and the periodontium.
- Dental Materials: This module covers the properties, uses, and manipulation of the materials used in dental laboratory work, including impression materials, gypsum products, metals, and ceramics.
- Dental Laboratory Procedures: This module covers the procedures used in dental laboratory work, including model making, waxing, casting, soldering, and polishing.
- Dental Prosthetics: This module covers the fabrication of dental prostheses, including complete dentures, partial dentures, bridges, and crowns.
- Digital Dentistry: This module covers the use of digital technology in dental laboratory work, including computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems.
- Infection Control and Safety: This module covers the principles of infection control and safety in the dental laboratory, including sterilization, disinfection, and personal protective equipment.
- Dental Photography: This module covers the principles of dental photography, including lighting, positioning, and image editing.
- Professionalism and Ethics: This module covers the ethical and professional responsibilities of a dental technician, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and scope of practice.
Diploma in Dental Technician syllabus
A Diploma in Dental Technician program typically includes theoretical and practical coursework in various aspects of dental laboratory technology. The following is an overview of the typical syllabus for a Diploma in Dental Technician program:
- Dental Anatomy and Physiology: This module provides an in-depth understanding of the structure, function, and development of teeth and their supporting structures, including bones, muscles, and ligaments. Students will learn about the different types of teeth, their arrangement in the dental arch, and their relationships with the surrounding tissues.
- Dental Materials: This module covers the properties, composition, and uses of the materials used in dental laboratory work. Students will learn about different types of dental materials, such as impression materials, gypsum products, waxes, metals, and ceramics, and how to manipulate them.
- Dental Laboratory Procedures: This module provides hands-on training in the various laboratory procedures involved in dental laboratory technology, such as model making, waxing, casting, soldering, and polishing. Students will learn how to use different types of dental equipment and instruments, such as handpieces, burs, and laboratory knives.
- Dental Prosthetics: This module covers the fabrication of different types of dental prostheses, such as complete dentures, partial dentures, fixed bridges, and crowns. Students will learn about the design, construction, and fitting of prostheses, as well as the principles of occlusion and articulation.
- Digital Dentistry: This module covers the use of digital technology in dental laboratory work, including computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems. Students will learn how to use digital scanners, design software, and milling machines to fabricate dental prostheses.
- Infection Control and Safety: This module covers the principles of infection control and safety in the dental laboratory, including sterilization, disinfection, and personal protective equipment. Students will learn about the different types of hazards in the dental laboratory and how to prevent them.
- Dental Photography: This module covers the principles of dental photography, including lighting, positioning, and image editing. Students will learn how to take high-quality photographs of the teeth and the oral cavity for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes.
- Professionalism and Ethics: This module covers the ethical and professional responsibilities of a dental technician, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and scope of practice. Students will learn about the legal and regulatory frameworks governing dental laboratory technology, as well as the importance of professional conduct and communication.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will have the necessary knowledge and skills to work as dental technicians in dental laboratories. They may also choose to continue their education in dental technology or related fields, pursuing further certifications or degrees to advance their careers. Graduates may also choose to become certified by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) to demonstrate their expertise and professionalism in the field.
