Dental Technology Sciences Diploma

Vancouver Community College

Graduates of this diploma acquire the specialized knowledge and competencies comprising the scope of dental technology practice. This program is based on the College of Dental Technicians of BC (CDTBC) required standards of competency for entry to the Dental Technology profession.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit the College of Dental Technician of BC (CDTBC) after completing the work experience following the two-year-in-school program. Graduates are able to provide complete and partial denture treatment that meets the technical, anatomical, biological and physiological needs of the edentulous and semi edentulous patient.

What you will learn

The graduate of the VCC Dental Technology Sciences program will have the skills and abilities to:

Design, fabricate, modify and repair removable oral/dental prostheses;

Design, fabricate, modify and repair fixed oral/dental prostheses;

Design, fabricate, modify and repair oral/dental appliances used in orthodontics, and other dental treatments;

Integrate general knowledge of dental laboratory procedures, physics and chemistry principles, associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations;

Assess the characteristics and properties of dental materials associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations and make decisions about their appropriate application in practice;

Assess the characteristics and operation of equipment and special instrumentation associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations and make decisions about their appropriate application in practice;

Assess the fundamental elements of dental anatomy, dental physiology, dental morphology and basic elements of oral pathological conditions and apply relevant knowledge to dental technology practice;

Practice current workplace health and safety standards including dental laboratory asepsis, and infection control;

Apply essential elements and skills of behavioral sciences, communications, professional ethics, legal obligations and business management to dental technology practice;

Make decisions that reflect critical thinking and problem solving; integrate pertinent theoretical knowledge and empirical data and information literacy skills to justify and/or revise services.

What to expect

The Dental Technology Sciences program is competency based and utilizes a variety of teaching and learning activities to enable students to achieve core professional competencies. Theory and authentic laboratory practical experiences are provided throughout. More than 55% of the program is designed for competency based practical experiences. Skills and abilities are based on the National Dental Laboratory Technology competencies (May 2012) (currently under revision) and Provincial Standards of Practice.

Learning is fostered through classroom theory (lecture), demonstrations, simulations, seminars, group work, case studies, project work, laboratory practice and practicum.

Throughout the program communication and other interpersonal skills, teamwork strategies, self and peer evaluation, critical thinking, decision-making and problem solving are reinforced. Quality practice skills are learned such as time and self-management.