Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology (BDT) is a comprehensive four year undergraduate program comprising 122 credit hours. Designed to prepare graduates for professional practice as specialized dental laboratory technicians, the curriculum seamlessly integrates foundational sciences with advanced technical competencies. Students master traditional laboratory techniques alongside cutting edge digital dentistry workflows, including scanning, 3D modelling, CAD/CAM milling, and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Through a phased progression of didactic teaching, preclinical skills training, and extensive laboratory fabrication for clinical cases, students gain the expertise required to design and fabricate precision prosthetics and specialized orthodontic appliances while collaborating closely with clinical dentists.

Mission Statement

To deliver world class education in dental technology by fostering an academic environment that bridges traditional laboratory craftsmanship with modern digital innovation. The program is dedicated to producing highly competent, ethically responsible dental technology professionals who possess the critical technical skills, intellectual independence, and collaborative aptitude required to support the multidisciplinary oral healthcare team and serve the community.

Goals of the Program

1. To facilitate the development of graduates with contemporary knowledge and specialized laboratory skills to excel as dental technicians across both conventional and digital design platforms.
2. To foster an academic atmosphere conducive to the development of a high degree of material science expertise, clinical guidelines comprehension, and precision laboratory engineering.
3. To inculcate a philosophy of professional responsibility and ethical practice, enabling graduates to provide high-quality technical solutions as integral members of the oral healthcare team.

The Educational Objectives of the Program are:

1. To educate and train a new generation of dental technology professionals according to international benchmarks, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology (BDT) degree.
2. To implement a cutting-edge curriculum with a strong emphasis on digital dentistry workflows, covering virtual articulation, advanced smile design, and complex implant restorations.
3. To deliver high-standard laboratory fabrications through real-world clinical case training that meets clinical constraints and directly optimizes patient-centred treatment outcomes.

Program Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology program, graduates will be able to:

Knowledge

• 1. Outline laboratory solutions using scientific knowledge that underpins dental technology and practice in relation to the different fields of dentistry.
• 2. Demonstrate competence in education and skills for registration and recognition as a Dental Technician and engagement in further learning through professional practice or continuing dental education programs.
• 3. Discuss various uses, properties and biological compatibility of dental materials used in the laboratory with an evidence-based approach regarding their optimal application for clinical situations.
• 4. Elaborate on dental laboratory procedures using basic and clinical practice guidelines, including analytical methods, engage in informed discussions, and solve complex challenges with flexible and innovative solutions.

Skill

• 1. Practice cognitive skills and intellectual independence in analyzing diverse information sources and utilizing evidence-based approaches to make decisions, solve complex problems, and design optimal technical solutions.
• 2. Utilize effective communication skills in interdisciplinary teamwork and professional collaborations to ensure high-quality laboratory solutions and optimal treatment outcomes.
• 3. Apply technical and creative skills to design and implement techniques, materials and processes to suit contemporary prosthetics in oral health care.
• 4. Combine best clinical practices and scientific evidence to adopt a comprehensive, patient-centred approach to the dental laboratory workflow while upholding the highest ethical, clinical, and evidence-based standards in modern dentistry.

Responsibility and Autonomy

• 1. Demonstrate self-direction, autonomy, and the ability to self-evaluate when analyzing and critically assessing intricate concepts, while effectively discussing them with dental clinical professionals.
• 2. Develop into a responsible citizen with professional practice management aptitude, and take responsibility for critical decisions and governance while considering social and cultural norms.
• 3. Reflect on performance feedback to identify and facilitate learning and self-improvement opportunities.

Competence

Autonomy and responsibility

Graduates are equipped to function with full autonomy within sophisticated technical environments, taking total responsibility for evaluating and managing complex laboratory procedures, resource logistics, and independent design decisions across diverse clinical case requirements.

Role in context

Graduates can transition smoothly into para-professional roles, successfully leading or working within multidisciplinary dental settings, interpreting intricate clinician prescriptions, managing interpersonal laboratory-clinic communications, and executing advanced technical supervisory tasks.

Self-development

Graduates possess the tools to regularly evaluate their own performance, integrate constructive feedback for clinical skill refinement, autonomously master emerging digital and manufacturing technologies, and maintain absolute commitment to professional ethical codes.

Career Opportunities

• Commercial Dental Laboratories: Employment or entrepreneurial ownership of commercial labs, specializing in crown and bridge fabrication, removable prosthetics, or specialized orthodontics.
• Digital Design & Production Centres: Roles as specialized CAD/CAM software designers, digital scanning technicians, and operators of industrial 3D printing and milling equipment.
• Hospital & Clinical Labs: Technical posts within in-house dental laboratories situated in private clinics, corporate dental networks, or government dental hospitals.
• Dental Corporate Sector: Technical application specialists, product trainers, sales consultants, or quality assurance advisors for multinational dental material and equipment manufacturers.
• Laboratory Management: Administrative, quality control, compliance, and logistics managers within high-volume commercial or educational dental production facilities.

Admission Requirements:

1. High School Diplomawith a minimum average score of:

• 60% for Elite Track, or
• 65% for Advanced Track, or
• 70% for General Track, or
• Equivalent in Standardized International Systems is required.

2. English Proficiency Test:

• IELTS Score: 5.0 (or)

TOEFL Score: 500 (or) 61 in TOEFL iBT (or) 173 in TOEFL CBT (or)

Equivalent other English proficiency tests approved by the MoE

3. Passing a personal interviewset by the College of Dentistry.

Graduation Requirements:

Students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology (BDT) degree upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

1. Completing successfully the required credit hours (122 Credit Hours), including the University requirement courses, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) not less than C, otherwise students should take, during the following semester(s), clinical subjects as suggested by the academic advisor to fulfill this graduation requirement.
2. Completing successfully the requirements as given in the syllabus.

Program Structure:

The BSc in Dental Technology program at AU-CoD is only delivered as a full time on-campus program. The program has a comprehensive mixture of didactic teaching, preclinical skills learning, clinical training as well as a research component. The dental students’ progress through the program in a phased manner.