Purpose

In Vancouver Community College’s (VCC) 2.5-year diploma in Dental Technology Sciences, graduates acquire the specialized knowledge and competencies comprising the scope of dental technology practice. The program meets the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) and the Canadian Alliance of Dental Technology Regulators (CADTR)  required standards of competency for entry into the Dental Technology profession.

The curriculum integrates current knowledge with the development of professional practice, critical thinking and skills in the design, fabrication, modification, and repair of removable and fixed dental prostheses and appliances.

The VCC Dental Technology Sciences Diploma program leads to employment in, or ownership of, a dental laboratory. Graduates are eligible for the national licensure examinations according to to write the licensing examinations according to the requirements of the Canadian Alliance of Dental Technology Regulators.          

Duration

This is a 2.5-year diploma program with five semesters (30 months). Four semesters are offered onsite at VCC and most of semester five is offered as a practicum in commercial dental laboratories.

Maximum time to complete the program is three years six months (3.5 years).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Design, fabricate, modify and repair fixed and removable oral/dental prostheses, as well as orthodontic appliances

2. Integrate general knowledge of dental laboratory procedures, physics and chemistry principles, associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations

3. Assess the characteristics and properties of dental materials associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations and make decisions about their appropriate application in practice

4. Assess the characteristics and operation of equipment and special instrumentation associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations and make decisions about their appropriate application in practice

5. Assess the fundamental elements of dental anatomy, dental physiology, dental morphology and basic elements of oral pathological conditions and apply relevant knowledge to dental technology practice

6. Practice current workplace health and safety standards including dental laboratory asepsis, and infection control

7. Apply essential elements and skills of behavioral sciences, communications, professional ethics, legal obligations and business management to dental technology practice

8. Make decisions that reflect critical thinking and problem solving; integrate pertinent theoretical knowledge and empirical data and information literacy skills to justify and/or revise services

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Dental Technology Sciences program is on a competitive selection basis.

• Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
• English Language Proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
  • English 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
    or
  • English Language Proficiency at an English 12 ‘C+’ level
• Human Biology 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
• Knowledge of science and/or mathematics demonstrated through one of the following:
  • Chemistry 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent, or
  • Math 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent, or
  • Physics 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent

Selection Process

• All qualified candidates who meet the admissions requirements will submit a portfolio demonstrating their aptitude for the Dental Technology profession, per the Dental Tech portfolio submission guidelines.
• All qualified candidates whose portfolio submissions are approved by the department’s Applicant Review Panel, will then be required to take part in an interview with the department's Applicant Review Panel by means of face-to-face or videoconferencing.
• The top-ranked qualified applicants are offered seats.

Upon Acceptance

• Current Basic First Aid and CPR-Level C

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

Term One		Credits
DENT 1100	Dental Technology Foundations	11
DENT 1110	Biosciences 1	4
DENT 1130	Professional Practice 1	1
DENT 1170	Dental Lab Patient Care 1	1
DENT 1180	Digital Technology 1	3
	Credits	20
Term Two
DENT 1210	Biosciences 2	1
DENT 1240	Removable Prosthetics 1	6
DENT 1250	Fixed Prosthetics 1	6
DENT 1260	Orthodontics 1	3
DENT 1270	Dental Lab Patient Care 2	1
DENT 1280	Digital Technology 2	3
	Credits	20
Term Three
DENT 2330	Professional Practice 2	1
DENT 2340	Removable Prosthetics 2	6
DENT 2350	Fixed Prosthetics 2	7
DENT 2360	Orthodontics 2	3
DENT 2380	Digital Technology 3	3
	Credits	20
Term Four
DENT 2440	Removable Prosthetics 3	8
DENT 2450	Fixed Prosthetics 3	8
DENT 2460	Orthodontics 3	4
	Credits	20
Term Five
DENT 2530	Professional Practice 3	1
DENT 2510	Dental Technology Practicum	19
	Credits	20
	Total Credits	100

This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.

Evaluation of Student Learning

Evaluation includes written examinations, case scenarios, projects and presentations, demonstration of laboratory competencies and laboratory assignments and evaluations.  Students self-evaluate all lab work prior to instructor evaluation. Professional conduct, communication skills and quality management are integral to laboratory evaluations. Some components of Laboratory abilities are assessed using Objective Structured Practical Evaluations (OSPEs). Students will leave the program with a career portfolio to assist with employment.

Students are required to achieve a minimum pass grade of 64% in all courses. All Laboratory project work must meet a Satisfactory Grade.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to the Student Records Department at the completion of semesters.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement

Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	90-100		4.33
A	85-89		4.00
A-	80-84		3.67
B+	76-79		3.33
B	72-75		3.00
B-	68-71		2.67
C+	64-67	Minimum Pass	2.33
C	60-63		2.00
C-	55-59		1.67
D	50-54		1.00
F	0-49	Failing Grade	0.00
S	70 or greater	Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credit	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.
2. The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.
3. Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.