Bachelor of Dental Technology

Dental Technology is the technical side of dentistry where a dental technician, on prescription of a dentist, makes any prosthesis or appliance for the head and neck. This could consist of:

• Artificial teeth such as complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns and bridges and implant supported dentures in various materials such as acrylics, alloys, and ceramics;
• Removable orthodontic appliances consisting of springs and retainers in acrylic bases for the movement of teeth. Mouth guards to protect against sports injuries;
• Maxillofacial appliances such as artificial eyes, ears, and facial prostheses that may be required after surgical treatment.

Dental technicians do not have direct contact with patients. Instead they work in a dental laboratory where various prosthetic appliances are custom made. Dental technicians can be thought of as artists who, with a thorough understanding of dental materials science, use their artistic skills to fabricate the form, colour and function of individual teeth or maxillofacial prostheses for a patient. The fact that the product can affect the health and appearance of a person demands of the technician a high level of responsibility and accuracy. For this reason, the profession of dental technology is registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2004. Graduates with the Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech) degree are automatically entitled to register with the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board.

Saudi Arabia entrance requirements

One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing, or successful completion of a University of Otago Foundation Year programme or equivalent.

A recognised institution is generally a college or university that is listed in the World Higher Education Database.

International Baccalaureate

A completed IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points

If taken in New Zealand: you must also satisfy literacy and numeracy requirements by completing English as the language at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, or Language A: language and literature, or at Higher level in Language B, together with any mathematics subject.

If taken outside New Zealand you may meet the literacy requirement through an approved alternative as outlined on our English Language requirements page.

Pearson Edexcel International A levels

You must obtain:

• a minimum of 120 points on the New Zealand Tariff at A or AS level from any syllabus groups, which are broadly equivalent to those in the list of approved subjects for NCEA; and
• a D grade or better in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills).

If taken in New Zealand, you must also satisfy literacy and numeracy requirements, by either:

• gaining an E grade or better in AS English Language or Literature in English; and a D grade or better in IGCSE Mathematics, or a pass in any Mathematics at AS level.
• as prescribed for university entrance with NCEA.

If taken outside New Zealand, you may meet the literacy requirement through an approved alternative as outlined on our English Language requirements page.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.0, no individual band below 5.5

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 80 and a writing score of 20 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 50 with no communicative skills score below 42

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 105 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)