This double degree is ideal for those students who are interested in developing hands-on practical skills in designing and making dentures, crowns and bridges, combined with diagnosing, designing and fitting removable dentures directly to patients. For secondary school leavers, it will provide opportunities for specialisation and more opportunities for employment upon graduation.

Students graduate with two qualifications to be able to work as both a Dental Technologist/Technician and Dental Prosthetist.

Dental Technologists (or Dental Technicians as they are often referred to) are highly skilled members of the dental team. They combine art and science skills to construct custom-made dental devices such as dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances to replace, restore and correct defects that may affect our facial appearance and the ability to use our teeth properly. They generally work behind the scenes in laboratories and not directly on patients.

Dental Prosthetists work independently in a clinical setting to diagnose and treat patients requiring removable partial or full dentures.

The first three years will be spent developing highly specialised hand skills, finishing with a professional practice course where students work alongside dentistry students on "real-life real-time" patient cases. The final fourth year builds on the previous years with a focus on developing clinical knowledge and skills to diagnose, fabricate, make and fit dentures directly to patients.

Several key benefits set Griffith's Dental Prosthetist education apart from that at other teaching institutions. Students develop advanced critical analytical skills to solve difficult technical and clinical situations. They have access to and are trained in the latest digital techniques. They learn in an inter-professional environment from experienced Dental Prosthetists and specialists in fields such as:

• Oral Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Radiology
• Prosthodontics

Dental Prosthetic students practice alongside Dentistry students to develop communication and collaboration skills in individual cases. This may include, for example, inserting and monitoring immediate dentures or witnessing a variety of complex dental procedures. This process is managed through the Team-Based Treatment Planning Process which develops patient referral skills.

Academic entry requirements (by country)

Academic entry requirements apply to International applicants for this program. You can view the academic entry requirements for this program here.

Admission to the Bachelor of Dental Technology/Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics (for International students) will be determined by the following criteria:

• Academic achievement in Year 12 or equivalent.
• Demonstration of English proficiency.

Inherent requirements

There are some essential skills and abilities you'll need to perform to meet the core learning outcomes of your program and courses. They're not something you need to gain admission into the program, but they'll be assessed throughout your program, and they'll be required for you to succeed in your career when you graduate.

Discover more about the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Dental Technology/ Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics.

Middle Eastern Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Tawjihiyah)

Grade average of 78 in the final year results OR successful completion of a recognised pre-tertiary or foundation program OR successful completion of one year study at a recognised tertiary or higher education institution is required in addition to the completion of High School studies.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 7.0
• OR the Occupational English Test (OET) with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
• OR the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 65
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 94 (no score less than 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking).

• Admission Procedure

The requirement to demonstrate an IELTS (Academic) of 7.0 or an equivalent level of proficiency in English will apply to all International students with the exception of those students who are admitted via one of the following English admission pathways which are exempt from the completion of the English language enhancement course:

• Satisfactory completion of one of the qualifications specified in the following schedule:
• English Language Proficiency Schedule
• Satisfactory completion within the past five years of at least two years full-time equivalent of post-secondary, higher education sector accredited associate degree or degree level study or equivalent in a country specified in the above Schedule A in which the language of instruction and assessment/examination for the entire two years was in English.
• Satisfactory completion within the past five years (from Canada [excluding Quebec], New Zealand, Australia, Republic of Ireland, United States or United Kingdom) of senior secondary, post-secondary, higher education sector accredited associate degree or degree level study or equivalent for at least two years full-time equivalent.

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 specialists' 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.