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This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by March 2020 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.
FdSc Dental Technology
Key information
Award:
FdSc
Mode of Study:
Part-time
Duration:
3 years
Location:
The University of Bolton
UCAS points:
48
Start date:
20/09/2021
Course Details
Skilled dental technicians are increasingly in demand – with an FdSc in Dental Technology, you’ll have the opportunity to establish the vocational skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to compete in this sought-after profession.
Our foundation degree for trainee dental technicians has been developed with industry input. It's designed to fully comply with the requirements of the General Dental Council, building your competency in areas like oral anatomy and physiology, biomaterial science, dental appliance design, and dental technology.
Our expert team will guide you as you explore professionalism, ethics, legislation and regulation, as well as analytical, decision making and reflective skills. In addition, we’ll help you to develop your practical abilities in relevant disciplines like biomechanical design and production of dental devices. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment in our specialised laboratories and learning areas.
Highlights
- The course aims to help you to develop the professional skills and knowledge required to compete in the dental technology employment market, as well as prepare you for further study.
- Our course tutors are highly qualified professionals from the health, dental and engineering disciplines.
- Working in state-of-the-art, purpose-built dental laboratories, you’ll have access to specialist industry-standard equipment and the latest dental technology.
- Strongly careers-oriented, our FdSc in Dental Technology has been developed following consultation with employers and industry bodies, including the Dental Laboratory Association and the Dental Technicians Association.
- On successful completion of this course, you’ll be awarded an FdSc in Dental Technology.
Key Features
- This programme offers a comprehensive overview of technical dentistry, including oral anatomy and physiology, biomaterial science, dental appliance design and dental technology.
- The FdSc in Dental Technology provides business links for students, reinforced by industrial work placements.
- Successful completion of the programme will ensure that you fully meet competency requirements of the General Dental Council.
- Suitable for part-time students, this course is a vocational route into dental technology, completed over three years.
Professional recognition
The General Dental Council (GDC) inspected the University of Bolton's FdSc Dental Technology provision in 2019 and reported that the programme is fit for purpose to develop individuals for professional registration as dental technicians.
As a graduate of this programme, you will be able to apply for registration as a dental care professional with the GDC. GDC registration is a requirement to practice in this field.
- 48 UCAS points. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points.
- You are expected to have successfully completed a Level 3 qualification in any subject, though your possession of a mathematics, English or science subject will confer an advantage; for instance, A-level Biology or BTEC Extended Diploma in Dental Technology.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English, Mathematics and Science.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview and undertake a manual dexterity test as part of the application process.
- If you have experience of working in other dental team roles, we’ll be happy to consider your application, providing you can present evidence of satisfactory level 3 qualifications.
- You must demonstrate current relevant employment and employer support for your studies. Your employer must be willing to enter a tripartite agreement. Specifically, you will need support from an appropriate mentor within your employing organisation for learning time, practical development and learning support.
- This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- If English isn't your first language you'll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent).
Want some reassurance or advice? Speak to one of our advisors. Email us at admissions@bolton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1204 903 394.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
As a graduate of this programme, you should have developed a comprehensive understanding of oral anatomy and physiology from a dental perspective, both in terms of the appliance design, and the methods and technologies used to construct dental appliances to meet the needs of the patient.
This FdSc course is focused on equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete for graduate-level jobs in dental technology. The course offers experience in a broad range of disciplines in the laboratory and aims to enhance opportunities for both employment and further study.
What can I do with this qualification?
Career opportunities are available to graduates of this course in the NHS, commercial laboratories, private practices, dental manufacturing companies and dental schools. Alternatively, you could progress to further study at honours level and beyond. A popular option is to top-up your foundation degree with the University of Bolton's part-time BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (top-up) programme.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, both relevant experience or postgraduate study may be required. Careers include:
- Dental implantology
- Clinical dental technology
- Dental therapy
- Teaching and education
- Research and development
- Nursing
- Sales
Course fees
The fees for a student’s course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
The university is currently awaiting government guidelines as to EU fee charges for students commencing study in 2021-2022.
For 2021-2022 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2021-2022 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Additional costs
There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton FdSc Dental Technology - 25 January 2021
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Apply online: University of Bolton FdSc Dental Technology - 20 September 2021
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
University of Bolton Group Partners
Bolton College
University Technical College
University of Bolton
The University welcomes applications from our group partners and progressing students so we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible. By selecting the link for your chosen course from the list shown below you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
Please ensure when you are asked to add a contact email address you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address we will be unable to identify you as a partner and you will be referred to apply via UCAS, which incurs a cost.
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Apply online: University of Bolton FdSc Dental Technology - 25 January 2021
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Apply online: University of Bolton FdSc Dental Technology - 20 September 2021
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
PLEASE NOTE: To meet the requirements of the General Dental Council, all modules are compulsory on this course.
Our FdSc in Dental Technology course is taught via a blended method of face-to-face sessions and online learning through the University’s virtual learning environment. At lectures, seminars and tutorials you’ll have the opportunity to learn the theory of your subject and discuss issues directly with your tutor and classmates. In practical workshops, demonstrations and critiques, meanwhile, you’ll have the chance to build practical skills and apply the theory you’ve learned.
Practical abilities are evaluated at your work placement and during appraisal reviews – work-based mentors will play a key role in the continuing development of your hands-on skills. You’ll be guided in establishing technical processes through observation, evaluation and application exercises, which are designed to help you build skills in the construction of dental appliances. Practical projects will be set to provide you with insight into the professional environment and you’ll be expected to gain substantial experience in a dental laboratory setting.
Assessments include essays, reports, oral presentations, employment journals and portfolio entries, as well as practical manufacturing tasks and exams. In-keeping with the part-time nature of the course, written assessments are weighted more heavily than exams in terms of grade value in comparison with the dental technology undergraduate degree programme.
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
Meet the team
The academic staff detailed above teach across a range of courses in this subject area and may not teach on this course specifically.
Programme Contacts
Bob Biggs
Head of Centre for Dental Sciences
B.Biggs@bolton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1204 903791
Debra Charnock
Programme Leader
D.Charnock@bolton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1204 903287
Enquiry Team
University of Bolton
enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1204 903903
