A one year programme that consists of five two hour teaching sessions delivered once a month. The course is directly relevant to dental technicians and will not focus purely on laboratory techniques that can be learned elsewhere from manufacturers, but on the decision making processes essential to predictable restorative outcome and the avoidance of complications commonly encountered.
On completion of the programme successful participants will be awarded a Certificate in Implant Technology by The City of London Dental School.
The school is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) which is responsible for setting standards within the independent further and higher education sector and is a leading mark of educational quality used by agencies as a guarantee of standards. The School is BAC accredited and has been given full membership of ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education). There is only one other body within the UK which has full membership status granted by the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education).
Our certificates and diplomas can be ‘legalised’ by asking the UK government to confirm that a UK public official’s signature, seal or stamp on the document is genuine. This might be needed if a local authority abroad has asked for the provision of a document and have requested it be ‘legalised’. BAC is recognised by the UK Government for this purpose i.e. if you possess an education certificate from a BAC accredited provider such as the City of London Dental School the UK government will consider confirmation of its authenticity.
Lectures and group work introduce the concept of osseointegration and develop an understanding of surgical and restorative techniques with their relevance to the technician clearly explained in straightforward terms. Over the year participants are encouraged to present cases they are working on or are problematic for group discussion and treatment planning.
Case selection, assessment and factors that contraindicate the implant prosthesis will be explained. A knowledge of CAD/CAM and computer imaging along with the ability to interpret radiographs and CT scans from the technicians prospective will be given as will clinical and laboratory techniques together with the limitations of cosmetic implant dentistry. Long-term implant complications that can be encountered all to easily by the ill-prepared dental technician will also be illustrated.
The most challenging part of the programme as it entails putting theory into actual practice. Participants must complete five actual supervised cases, of varying complexity, from start to finish. Technicians will be paired with a dentist on our postgraduate MClinDent course and together they will attend the school clinic in Harley Street to treat cases from planning to surgical placement, impressions, try-in, management of miss-fit, occlusal adjustment and delivery of the completed restoration. Appointment times will be arranged where possible to meet the time restraints of all those concerned but the patient must be prioritised. Each stage will be photographed and used to produce a case log book. Students will be supported in the assembly of a five case portfolio of technical work via the school web site and competency will be formally assessed.
At a later date, should you decide to continue, you may advance your certificate training to a diploma which will count towards an undergraduate degree of BSc in Dental Technology.
The course fee is £1,200 and has been priced to promote the profession and support dental technicians in their aspiration for professional development and recognition.