With this qualification graduates may find employment opportunities in the public and private health sectors through government health department clinics and private practice as a Dental Technician/Dental Prosthetist or Clinical Dental Technician.
Dental Technologists (or Dental Technicians as they are often referred to) may find employment with Dental Technicians, Dentists, Dental Prosthetists, Prosthodontists, Orthodontists, Periodontists, and Oral Surgeons in the public or private health sectors working to referring dental practitioners and specialist's prescriptions. Graduates will be able to design and construct oral devices according to international standards that meet individual patient's needs. Dental Technicians work with a wide range of materials and techniques such as: gold, porcelain, plastic and lost wax technique and CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing). They may see patients to record the colour, shape and characteristics of existing teeth.
With this qualification, graduates can apply technical skills, scientific knowledge, artistic skills and compassionate nature across three distinct specialist areas - Prosthodontic, Conservative and Orthodontic - or you may eventually choose self-employment. Graduates will be well equipped to sit for a 'skills exam' requested by employers.
Prosthodontic Technician and Clinician (Removable Prosthodontics)
Dental Prosthetists work directly with patients to provide removable partial dentures and will also design and fabricate full and partial dentures in plastic or alloy. Graduates will be well equipped for the variety of procedures and techniques to replace missing teeth and will work alongside dentists and prosthodontists.
A student graduating as a dental technologist and dental prosthetist can potentially have two income streams. One providing dental technology services to dentists or specialists and working directly with a patient as a dental prosthetist providing patient care (including referral) and treatment to replace missing teeth.
Self-employment
Graduates will gain an understanding of the operational issues involved in establishing a new business. Graduates may own and operate a dental laboratory or clinic. Graduates can progress onto employment in management roles such as senior or chief technician or prosthetists; quality control technicians/prosthetist; teaching or dental sales.
Research opportunities
Graduates can apply to progress their research skills through an Honours, Masters or PhD qualification which may lead to various roles in academia or in large-scale organisations (corporations/companies, government departments, non-profit/charity organisation).
International opportunities
Graduates will be equipped to apply for dental technologist/technician registration and dental prosthetist (clinical dental technician) in other countries. They will have gained the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to the examination process required for registration.