FdSc Dental Technology

• 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 enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1204 903 903.

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

No fee information is currently available, please contact Student Data Management on 01204 903059 or SDMenquiries@bolton.ac.uk for more information

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.

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.