Program Overview

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Clinical Dental Technology

BSc (Hons)

Attendance

Full-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

3 years

UCAS Code

B840

Delivery

In-person

Overview

On our Clinical Dental Technology (CDT) degree, you'll train as a clinical dental technician in state-of-the-art dental labs. You'll have access to cutting-edge technology and specialist equipment, including intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM design, milling and 3D printing systems.

Why Study with Us

• 2nd in the UK for learning opportunities (National Student Survey, Dentistry, 2024)
• This groundbreaking course is the first of its kind in the UK.
• Learn in our state-of-the-art facilities using cutting-edge dental technology.
• As a trainee clinical dental technician, you will have the opportunity to treat your own patients in our on-site Dental Clinic.

Becoming a Clinical Dental Technician

• Your first two years will involve training in our on-site dental laboratory and Dental Clinic.
• Technical and clinical team skills are reinforced in Year 2.
• In year 3 you'll gain experience in our Community Dental Clinic in Preston.

Modules

Year 1

• Pre-clinical Dental Sciences
  • Module code: DG1006
  • The aim of this module is for you to gain knowledge in the normal and abnormal development and growth of the oro-facial region. You'll also look at the basic science underpinning oral and systemic disease relevant to clinical dentistry.
• Foundation of Professional Practice
  • Module code: DG1007
  • This module will introduce you to professional practice in a dental environment. You will be focusing on your communication and learning within a team. You will also be introduced to reflective practice and begin to use and record your own reflections.
• Dental Technology Studies 1
  • Module code: DG1010
  • This module aims to develop your skills in dental technology. You will be introduced to restorative dentistry and the work of the dental team during the treatment of patients.
• Foundation Clinical Knowledge for Dental Technology Studies
  • Module code: DG1011
  • Our module will aim to provide you will the relevant knowledge of procedures to underpin the provision provided by dental technicians to dentate and edentulous patients. You will develop an understanding of the rationale for replacing missing teeth, and demonstrate the clinical steps required to provide various tooth and tissue borne dentures.

Year 2

• Health Promotion and Population Studies Part 1
  • Module code: DG2007
  • Our module will aim to develop your skills to apply an evidenced-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgement and decision making. You will have an understanding of professionalism within a dental team and your responsibility for minimising health inequalities.
• Professional Practice 1
  • Module code: DG2014
  • You will learn all the key skills to practice professionalism within the primary care environment of the Dental Education Centre. You can apply your knowledge and evidence-based practice to ensure that you develop your communication skills within a clinical team.
• Dental Technology Studies 2
  • Module code: DG2018
  • In this module you will be introduced to more complex cases in restorative dentistry as well as the wider health team during the treatment of patients who need fixed, removable prosthodontics, and orthodontics devices.
• Laboratory and Clinical Placement
  • Module code: DG2019
  • This module will develop your workplace skills, including working within the University's commercial laboratory, building on technical skills and competence. You'll gain an understanding of the workplace requirements, including time management, team working and the frameworks to deliver dental devices. You'll also go on a clinical placement to interact with patients and other students in a formal setting.
• Clinical Knowledge for Dental Technology Studies
  • Module code: DG2020
  • You will focus on building upon your previous study within other modules. The main aim is to develop your knowledge, as a dental technician, of laboratory and clinical interface in the provision of removable and fixed prosthodontics.

Year 3

• Health Promotion and Population Studies Part 2
  • Module code: DG3004
  • This module will further develop your knowledge in dental public health. You will examine the risks along with preventative strategies in dentistry, and you will learn why dentists have responsibilities for dealing with patients with psychological and other mental well-being problems.
• Professional Practice 2
  • Module code: DG3008
  • This module will enable you to build on your professionalism skills in primary and secondary care environments. You'll develop your communication skills and the skills needed during clinical cases.
• Integrated Clinical Dental Technology Practice
  • Module code: DG3011
  • This module develops the clinical skills studied throughout the duration of the programme to undertake all relevant clinical and laboratory procedures for removable appliances for patients. It includes the technicians and clinical dental technicians role in advanced restorative dentistry, orthodontics, maxilla-facial surgery and the management of the dental team during a medical emergency.
• Oral Disease for Clinical Dental Technology
  • Module code: DG3019
  • The aim of the module is to build upon existing knowledge gained in pre-clinical sciences and dental technology modules and further develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to practice competently as part of the wider dental team, including the management of the special care patient. You will develop an understanding of oral diseases and the role of the Dental Care Professional (DCP) in the prevention, recognition and management of these conditions. You will also develop additional skills within their scope of practice including tooth whitening.

Entry Requirements

• 3 A-Levels with minimum grades BCC – Must include Biology which will be required at B (Including a Pass in Biology practical endorsement). We will consider all subject areas for the remaining 2 A levels but ideally they would be Physics, Chemistry or Maths, except general studies or critical thinking
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in applied science achieved at DDM or above will be accepted as an alternative to A-levels providing specific unit requirements have been met, please see UCAS for more details
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended certificate achieved at M will be accepted in lieu of 1 C grade A-Level, however, Biology will still be required at grade B or above
• A Pass in a Science based Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 21 Level 3 Credits at Merit and 24 Level 3 credits at Pass, or above. Must include a minimum of 12 level 3 credits in Biology related modules passed with Merit. This qualification can be considered alongside a dental nursing or dental technology qualification
• A course with a foundation year in a relevant science-based subject would be considered if achieved at 50% overall with 60% or above in all Biology modules
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 104 points from Higher Level Subjects including Biology
• Dental nursing and dental technology qualifications (without the required GCSE’s and A-levels/BTEC/Access to HE/foundation course) will not be considered
• A registrable Level 3 qualification in dental nursing or dental technology will be accepted in lieu of 1 C grade A-Level, however, Biology will still be required at grade B or above.
• 5 GCSE’s at grade C/4 or above - must include Mathematics, Science and English Language.
• All students whose first language is not English, must have IELTS – grade 7.0 or above in all four categories (unless a U.K. Degree level qualification is held).
• International applications will be considered with the equivalent qualifications (subject to fees)
• A satisfactory Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland), and Occupational Health clearance are required for this course

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 per year
• International: £39,000 per year

Scholarships and Bursaries

• Care Leaver Bursary
• Estranged student support
• Dependants Bursary
• Leverhulme Bursary

Learning and Assessment

A three-year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits and each 20 credits (a standard module) equates to 200 hours of study, which comprises of a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study.

Progression

If you're thinking about become a dentist, this course is a great way to start your career. If you achieve 2:1 in your degree you may be eligible to apply for our graduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

Further Information

We employ a number of teaching methods to teach you the various aspects of clinical dental technology. There is a great emphasis on clinical experience to develop clinical skills, initially by working on manikins in the dental clinic. Working with actors assists in the development of communication skills. Knowledge is developed by traditional lectures and tutorials as well as Problem Based Learning (PBL) where you work together to develop an integrated knowledge of how the body functions in Health and Disease. We use a variety of methods for assessment such as short answer, single best item and short note questions.