What is Dental Technology and Why it is Important

In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, one field that has witnessed incredible progress is dental technology. It’s interesting, challenging and rewarding, if you’re looking for these qualities in a career, this might be your perfect match! 

What is Dental Technology: 

Dental technology uses a wide range of innovative tools, techniques, and equipment designed to enhance oral health, diagnose dental issues, and improve overall patient experiences.  

From digital imaging to 3D printing, dental technology has completely changed the way dentistry is practised, making it an exciting field of study. In this blog, we will dive into some of the reasons why dental technology is worth studying and starting your career journey. 

Dental technicians are highly skilled individuals who work in dental laboratories, working closely with dentists to create custom-made dental appliances to meet the needs of each patient. 

Why is Dental Technology Important? 

There are countless reasons why dental technicians are important and play a key role in keeping our teeth healthy.  

Without dental technology, the art and science of crafting crowns, bridges, dentures, orthodontic appliances, and other essential devices would be considerably limited. Furthermore, it speeds up the process, reducing wait times for patients and facilitating collaboration between dental professionals.  

By embracing the latest advancements, dental technology ensures that patients receive top-tier oral healthcare, and dentists can provide more tailored treatment options.  

Benefits of Being a Dental Technician: 

- Career Opportunities and Growth: Dental technicians, digital dentistry specialists, and dental technologists are in high demand in dental laboratories, private practices, and academic institutions. Professionals in this field have many opportunities for growth. 

- Varied Work: You will have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of cases, from simple crowns to complex full-mouth rehabilitations, making no to days the same 

- The rewarding element: Dental technicians take pride in knowing that their work directly impacts patients' lives, restoring smiles and improving overall oral health. Although the work can be challenging, it’s equally just as rewarding 

Benefits for Patients: 

- Improved Aesthetics: Dental technicians play a crucial role in creating orthodontic appliances that blend with a patient's natural teeth, enhancing their appearance and confidence 

- Restored Oral Function: Dental technicians create prosthetics that restore proper chewing and speaking abilities, improving overall oral health and quality of life 

- Faster Turnaround: With advancements in digital dental technology, such as CAD/CAM systems, patients can receive their prosthetics faster than ever before, reducing the time they spend without necessary dental devices. 

Now you may be wondering “what does the role of a dental technician consists of?”, well wonder no more! 

A Day in the Life of a Dental Technician: 

- Consultation: Dental technicians start their day by reviewing the dentist's prescription and patient's dental impressions or digital scans. 

- Design: Using advanced software, they create a digital model of the prosthetic, refining every detail to ensure an accurate fit. 

- Material Selection: Dental technicians choose the appropriate materials, considering durability, aesthetics, and biocompatibility. 

- Fabrication: Whether it's crafting a crown, bridge, denture, or orthodontic appliance, dental technicians meticulously follow the digital design, using state-of-the-art tools and equipment. 

- Quality Assurance: Before the final product is sent back to the dentist, dental technicians perform thorough quality checks to ensure it meets the highest standards. 

- Continual Learning: Dental technology is a field that evolves rapidly. Dental technicians stay informed about new techniques, materials, and technology through continuous education and training. 

We hope by now you are aware of the exciting role that could potentially be your future! 

Studying Dental Technology at the University of Bolton:  

If you do decide to take our BSc (Hons) Dental Technology, you’re in for a #UniAsItShouldBe learning journey; friendly, supportive, and fun. As a dental tech student, we will increase your employability and skills by giving you the opportunity to work on live patient cases. 

We also have strong industry links that can help you secure great work placements; your CV will be looking spectacular, especially with the help of our incredible Careers and Employability Team. 

As this field continues to evolve, the future of dental technology looks brighter than ever, promising a world of healthier, happier smiles. 

If you are looking to apply to the University of Bolton via Clearing, follow this page linked here to find out all the information you need to know on how to successfully be prepared. If you are unsure of what direction to head in, you will also find our quiz that helps to identify your strengths and what areas you are likely to excel in! 

To answer any further questions you have about this course or general queries, please contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on 01204 903903 and we will be happy to help!