Dental Technology

Entry requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Faculty of Dentistry.

Every applicant must present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study, and

• have Diploma/Bachelor of Dental Technology or
• have alternative qualifications and experience acceptable to the Dean of Dentistry (in considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be given to the detail of the course of study followed, as well as the applicant's performance).

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 7.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 7.0) or Internet-based TOEFL of 102 or better with a minimum of 24 in each section; or Paper-based TOEFL of 600 or better with a TWE (Test of Written English) of 5.0 or better. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February

Course content

Dental Technology is a global profession. Throughout the world there is a high demand for skilled dental technicians.

In New Zealand and Australia, dental technicians are employed by commercial dental laboratories which provide the bulk of the work for the private dental industry, the defence forces, hospitals and state health dental services. The ratio of employer to employee is approximately 1:3 and many dental technicians ultimately set up business for themselves. There are no barriers to becoming self-employed.

Upon completion of the programme, a graduate can register with the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board as a Registered Clinical Dental Technician. This allows the dental technician to have direct clinical contact with patients providing a service in removable denture prosthetics.

Papers

• DTEC 501 Advanced Dental Materials Science; and

Two of

• DTEC 502 Advanced Fixed Prosthodontics Techniques
• DTEC 503 Advanced Implant Prosthodontic Techniques
• DTEC 504 Advanced Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Techniques
• DTEC 505 Topics in Advanced Dental Technology

A candidate whose qualification for admission to the programme is a postgraduate diploma or equivalent may be exempted from papers to a maximum of 60 points, provided that the candidate's previous study is directly relevant to the proposed and approved programme of study.

The programme of study shall be approved by the Faculty of Dentistry.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding