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Overview of the role

Designing, manufacturing, modifying and repairing custom-made dental appliances.

Dental technician (integrated)

Reference Number: ST0108

Details of standard

Role/Occupation

Dental Technician

Level 

Duration of Apprenticeship 

36 months 

Role profile 

Dental Technicians design, manufacture, modify and repair custom-made dental appliances. Typically the work is undertaken in a dental laboratory on a prescription from a dentist. The work can broadly be split into crown & bridge, dentures and orthodontics; most labs specialise in one or two of these areas but during the apprenticeship Dental Technicians will develop competency across all disciplines from start to finish before choosing if/where to specialise once they are qualified.

Dental Technicians tread a fine line between art and science; they manufacture precise custom-made medical appliances but require the attention to detail, colour and manual dexterity that is expected of fine artists.

Dental Technicians are registered professionals and work within the standards and scope of practice defined by the General Dental Council (GDC) Scope of practice Document September 2013  http://www.gdc- uk.org/Newsandpublications/Publications/Publications/Scope%20of%20Practice%20September%202013.pdf

Working as part of the Dental Team Dental Technicians will need to comply with professional regulation, collaborate with dental practices and occasionally meet patients. Dental Technicians will be able to work with minimum supervision and are responsible for the quality of their finished work before it is released to the dentist and patient.

Competencies

Knowledge

The Dental Technician will have knowledge of:

Oral Anatomy

Normal dental/oral anatomy and physiology.

Dental devices and combating oral problems

How design of custom-made devices can contribute to restoration of functionality as well as prevention of oral disease/further decline.

Manufacturing Procedures

The procedures used in design and manufacture of custom made devices - dentures, crowns, bridges, orthodontic (including Computer Aided Design (CAD)/ Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) & IT Solutions).

Material Selection

The principles regarding the selection and use of materials for use in custom made dental

devices.

The Dental Team and Professionalism

The role of Dental Technician and other dental team members in management and leadership, professionalism and communication.

Medical Devices Directive & GDC Guidelines

Compliance with the Medical Devices Directive Council 93/42/EEC (MDD), GDC standards for Dental Team, Scope of practice  http://www.gdc-uk.org/Newsandpublications/Publications/Publications/StudentFtPApril10web_260310[1 ].pdf

Skills

The Dental Technician will be able to:

Appropriate Device Selection

Advise the prescribing dentist on appropriate dental devices based on dentist input, while recognising oral limitations and their effect on devices. Evaluate, for individual patients, the need for more complex treatment and seek advice from the dentist or more experienced Dental Technicians as appropriate.

Device Manufacture

Design, manufacture, assess, repair, modify and provide biomechanically sound custom- made dental devices in the following three areas:

1.Prosthetic Device Manufacture (Dentures)

Design and manufacture complete and partial removable prosthesis, including the provision of custom made impression trays

2.Conservation Device Manufacture (Crown/Bridge)

Produce models and dies for conservation work

Design and manufacture single metallic and tooth coloured restorations

Create substructures for bridgework and apply tooth coloured materials for permanent restorations

3.Orthodontic Device Manufacture (Braces)

Produce models for Orthodontic case study purposes and appliance construction

Design and manufacture removable, functional and fixed orthodontic appliances

Digital Manufacturing Procedures

Aware of the basic procedures used in design and manufacture of custom made devices (including CAD/CAM & IT Solutions).

Device Assessment

Assess impressions, models and finished devices as well as the fitness for purpose of devices and propose alternatives where necessary, in line with patient prescription, and formally record these decisions as for MDD requirements

Can review and Quality Assure the devices

Implants and attachments

Aware of basic procedures for the use of implants, milling and precision attachments as used with various forms of custom made dental restorations

Communication

Communicate effectively with and about patients, their representatives and the rest of the dental team. Handle complaints effectively and within GDC guidelines.

Decontamination & Infection Control

Manage safety, infection control and decontamination risks around the dental laboratory in keeping with current regulations

Behaviours

What is required

Continuing Personal Development

Proactive in their own development, willing to commit to lifelong learning by use of a Personal Development Plan (PDP), personal reflection and continuous improvement.

Ethical/Legal Awareness

Recognise and act within GDC standards, ethical guidance, information governance and relevant laws.

Collaboration

Willing to give and receive feedback effectively and tactfully within the wider dental team; takes responsibility for establishing personal networks with dental professionals, specialists and other relevant individuals and organisations.

Responsibility & Integrity

Ready to take responsibility for integrity of completed work.

Entry requirements

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Most candidates will have A levels or existing

relevant Level 3 qualifications. Other relevant or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative. Employers who recruit candidates without English and Maths GCSE at Grade C or above (or approved equivalent) must ensure that the candidate achieves this standard prior to the completion of the apprenticeship.

Qualifications

Level 5 Foundation Degree Science in Dental Technology

Link to professional registration

On completion of the apprenticeship the apprentice can apply to register with the General Dental Council as a Dental

Technician, by virtue of an acceptable qualification accredited by the GDC.

Note:  To meet the requirements for registration the competencies and associated curriculum will be used in conjunction with the learning outcomes detailed in the GDC document ‘Preparing for Practice.’(http://www.gdc-uk.org/newsandpublications/publications/publications/gdc%20learning%20outcomes.pdf)

The education and training providers must be compliant with the GDC Standards, Student fitness to practice and requirements for providers of education and training programmes.

Review

The apprenticeship should be reviewed after a maximum of 3 years (duration of Apprenticeship).

The guidance from the General Dental Councils quality assurance section will also inform the continuing development and updating of the Apprenticeship.

Regulated Standard

This is a Regulated occupation.

Regulator Body:

General Dental Council

Training provider must be approved by regulator body

EPAO must be approved by regulator body


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Status: Retired
Level: 5
Reference: ST0108
Version: 1.2
Date updated: 28/03/2019
Approved for delivery: 26 March 2015
Route: Health and science
Typical duration to gateway : 36 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £18000
Regulated Standard
Regulated Body

General Dental Council

Training provider must be approved by regulator body

EPAO must be approved by regulator body

LARS Code: 18
EQA Provider: Office for Students
Employers involved in creating the standard: Genix Healthcare, 211 Dental – Ravi Rattan, 543 Dental, Bupa Dental Services, Den Dental, Integrated Dental Holdings (IDH), Oasis Healthcare, Rodericks Dental, Smile Care Group, Smile Impressions Ltd, Association of Dental Groups, Aesthetic Dental Laboratory, Acodent Dental Laboratory, CosTech Elite, Knight Dental Design, Optimum Dental Laboratories, PDS Dental Laboratory Leeds Ltd, S4S Dental Laboratory, SB Dental Laboratory Limited, Sparkle Dental Labs Ltd, Dental Technologists’ Association, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date Latest end date
1.4 End-point assessment plan and funding band revised but funding stayed the same. 12/07/2023 Not set Not set
1.3 End-point assessment plan revised 09/08/2019 11/07/2023 Not set
1.2 End-point assessment plan revised 28/03/2019 08/08/2019 Not set
1.1 End-point assessment plan revised 28/03/2019 27/03/2019 Not set
1.0 Approved for delivery 26/03/2015 27/03/2019 Not set

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