Bachelor of Dental Technology
Program code
1574
Available at
Nathan
Gold Coast
Mount Gravatt
Logan
South Bank
Online
Offshore
Other
Duration
3 years full-time
Credit points
240
Indicative fee
$45,000.00* per year (more)
* 2025 indicative annual fee
Prerequisites
- NIL
Assumed knowledge
- English, English as an Additional Language, Literature or English and Literature Extension (Units 3 and 4, C)
- One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematical Methods (Units 3 and 4, C)
About this program
This degree is ideal for students who have an eye for detail yet have an artistic or scientific background. Students learn to create and manufacture dentures, crowns, implant components and orthodontic appliances in conventional and digital contexts.
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 to replace, restore and correct defects that may affect our facial appearance and the ability to use our teeth properly. They often use computer design technologies and 3D printing to achieve these goals.
As an undergraduate student, you will learn and work alongside Dentistry students in our state-of-the-art dental clinics and laboratories located in the same building. Our students enjoy working with industry-standard equipment including CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing) facilities.
You will also expand your hands-on experience working with registered and experienced Dental Technicians in our commercial laboratory and through professional practice placements.
Honours is available through an additional year of study.
| Code | Program title | Campus | Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1574 | Bachelor of Dental Technology (this program) | Gold Coast | Trimester 1 only |
| 1580 | Bachelor of Dental Technology/Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics | Gold Coast | Trimester 1 only |
| 1638 | Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics | Gold Coast | Trimester 1 only |
Progression is dependent upon satisfying admission requirements.
Attendance information
The Bachelor of Dental Technology is offered full-time on-campus.
As a full-time student, you will generally attend 28-32 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the trimester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week.
In the Bachelor of Dental Technology you must maintain a full-time study load. Part time study is only permitted in circumstances where credit for prior study is awarded and a full-time structure is not available as a consequence, or where a student fails a course and is required to repeat that year of the program.
To allow further contextual learning opportunities, the academic calendar for the programs offered by the School of Medicine and Dentistry will be extended beyond the standard teaching trimester (i.e. commencing earlier than the standard teaching trimester).
The School of Medicine and Dentistry delivers electronic assessment via ExamSoft's Examplify application. Students enrolled in this program are required to have access to a portable computer device (laptop or tablet) that can be taken on campus to complete examination and assessment activities. This device must meet the minimum system requirements for Examplify.
The School has a small number of loan devices that may be available to students who do not have access to a personal device. Students must apply for access to loan devices in the lead up to an examination or assessment. Please note the School cannot guarantee a loan device will be available for every applicant.
Managing Study Interruptions
Leave of AbsenceTaking a leave of absence from this program is permitted, subject to conditions outlined in the Enrolment Procedure and receiving approval from the Program Director or their nominee.
Readmission
A student who has discontinued enrolment in a Dentistry program and who is not on an approved leave of absence is required to seek approval for readmission to the program from the Dean, Dentistry or nominee. Readmission to a Dentistry program is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students must complete and submit a Request for Readmission form.
If you are an International student on a student visa, you must ensure that you enrol in a way that will allow you to complete your enrolment within the expected program duration as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Work-integrated learning
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is undertaken in the Griffith Health prosthetic laboratory in the Laboratory Practicum 1-4 courses each year and culminates in the capstone course.
This gives students real world experience and simulates a dental laboratory environment, enabling them to be ready for future employment.
Overseas exchange program
Griffith students enrolled in the Bachelor of Dental Technology program have the opportunity for a student exchange to Oslo, Norway in Trimester 1 of their final year of study.
Eligible students can apply to study at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (OUAC) in Spring Term (January-June) and students should contact the School of Medicine and Dentistry for further details.
My career opportunities
As a Dental Technologist (or Dental Technician as they are often referred to) you will 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. You will be able to design and construct appliances according to international standards that meet individual patient's needs. You will work with a wide range of materials and techniques such as: gold, porcelain, plastic, lost wax technique, 3D printing and CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing). You may see patients to record the colour, shape and characteristics of existing teeth.
With this qualification, you can apply your 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 (Removable Prosthodontics)
Prosthodontic technicians design and make full and partial dentures in plastics or alloy. Graduates will be well equipped for the variety of procedures and techniques to replace missing teeth and will work alongside dentists, dental prosthetists and prosthodontists.
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.
Graduates can progress onto employment in management roles such as senior or chief technician positions; quality control technicians; 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, large-scale organisations (Corporations/Companies, Government Departments, Non-Profit/Charity Organisation).
International opportunities
Graduates will be equipped to apply for dental technicians registration in other countries. They will have gained the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to the examination process required for registration.
Professional recognition
The Dental Board of Australia recognises the Bachelor of Dental Technology as a prerequisite to Dental Prosthetists education and a requirement of national registration as a clinician. Please refer to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website for further details.
Professional Practice requirements
There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:
- Vaccinations and Health Tests
- Licenses and Certificates
- Online Training
- Health Placement Requirements
Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.
Pathways to further study
The Bachelor of Dental Technology provides a pathway to the Bachelor of Dental Technology/Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics (1580) or Bachelor of Dental Technology (Honours) (2127)
Graduates of the Bachelor of Dental Technology may be eligible to apply for the Graduate Entry Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics (1638) program.
International students
An International student is one who is not:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen or
- a Pacific Engagement visa holder or
- a person who has Australian permanent resident status.
Indicative annual tuition fee
The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 credit points (two full-time trimesters).
The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
Tuition fees
- An International student pays tuition fees.
- Students are liable for tuition fees for the courses they are enrolled in as at the census date.
- The tuition fee is charged according to the approved program fee for the trimester in which the student is enrolled.
Program fees for the Bachelor of Dental Technology (1574)
If the fee rate for your program is not displayed above, please contact Student Connect for assistance.
Changing programs
If an International student changes to a different program they will be subject to the approved program fee for the trimester in which they are enrolled.
Permanent resident status
If an undergraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will be provided with a domestic fee-paying place.
The student may then apply for a Commonwealth supported place at the next admission period provided that the student satisfies the conditions for transfer from a domestic fee-paying place to a Commonwealth supported place as set out in the Fees and Charges Procedure.
If a postgraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth supported place (subject to availability) or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.
If a research student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.
Further information
- Fees and Charges Procedure
- 3.6 - Fees for International Students
- 3.9 - Administrative and Miscellaneous Charges
- Cost of studying in Australia
Additional fee information
Throughout your program you may be required to pay for the following items:
First aid certificate; immunisations; uniforms; a portable computer device (laptop or tablet) and expenses associated with placements such as travel and accommodation; dental kits and tools as stipulated for each year. As well, there are Fit for Professional Practice Placement costs such as Blue Card and Police Check. For more information, please visit the School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Health Placement Support Hub webpages.