Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences>Courses>Foundation Degree in Dental Technology FdSc

Foundation Degree in Dental Technology - FdSc

Entry Year

​​​​The programme is offered in a three-year part-time study low attendance mode and leads to a Foundation Degree in Dental Technology. Much of the practical experiential learning is carried out during work-based learning at the student's place of employment.

This arrangement allows an opportunity to integrate technical procedures and allows for complete analysis, reflection and recapitulation of procedures undertaken within the course and at the workplace. There are assessment items within the modules delivered during this time that relate to the work-based learning gained by students, case studies, competence report, etc. Students undertake work for patients whilst at the place of work-based learning.​

​Course Content​

There are 12 modules in total and all modules are compulsory. Study is undertaken at two levels. Students can only progress from the first level to the second level upon successful completion of all modules in the preceding level.

The syllabus is structured to include the General Dental Council's requirements for registration as a Dental Technician.

The programme consists of Levels 4 and 5, totaling 240 credits, spread over three years (split into 80 credits per academic year). Hence, Level 4 is completed by the end of semester 1 of year 2, and level 5 commences at the beginning of semester 2 in year 2. Additionally, the intake is always September for students commencing at level 4.

All modules are 20 credits

Year One:

  • Fixed Prosthodontics A
  • Dental Anatomy and Physiology
  • Removable Prosthodontics A
  • Preparing for Practice and Work Based Learning A

Year Two:

  • Removable Prosthodontics B
  • Preparing for Practice and Work Based Learning B
  • Removable Orthodontics 
  • Applied Dental Materials

Year Three

  • Removable Prosthodontics C
  • CAD/CAM in Dentistry
  • Fixed Prosthodontics B
  • Preparing for Practice and Work Based Learning C

Career Potential​

Successful students find employment in private practice, commercial or health service laboratories. Students may also choose to progress to further study.
Students who successfully complete the FdSc are eligible to progress onto the BSc(Hons) programme at this university. There have been part-time students who have elected to do this and have graduated from us with BSc(Hons) Dental Technology.

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Applicants should have one A level or equivalent qualification and be employed as a trainee within a dental laboratory.

Mature students without these formal qualifications but who have relevant experience are actively encouraged to apply.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard overall with at least 6.0 in all elements, or equivalent.​ For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made directly to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.​

Key Facts

The deadline for applications is 31st July 2024. The programme contains 80 credits per year (the cost per 10 credits can be found on the current fees table). A 'Key Facts for Applicants' document is available from our website's Compulsory Supporting Documents page.

A General Dental Council (GDC) registered workplace mentor must support students throughout the programme. Mentors should be aware that they are always responsible for the student; please see the GDC's Guidance for those employing, supervising or training students, trainees or learners.

As part of an application, the student's employer must complete a Placements Form, available from our website's Compulsory Supporting Documents page.

Attendance:

Attendance for this programme is low attendance mode. Therefore, students must have access to video conferencing over a PC with a broadband connection at work and home.

No more than six attendances per year will be required, with a commitment of approximately one day per week of the academic year and additional days during assessment periods. The student and their workplace mentor are expected to make decisions and judgments independently from the university staff, and successful students must be motivated and organised with sound problem-solving skills.

Assessment:

The programme continuously assesses students through assignments and practical and theoretical tests. Work-based assessment is an integral part of the programme, and workplace mentors are responsible for supervising assessment-related tasks in the workplace.

The programme benefits those with dental technology experience. Your working circumstances influence factors beyond the control of the University, which may advantage or disadvantage you during different assessments.

Students must have access to equipment and expertise for the following dental technology specialities: Removable Prosthodontics (complete dentures and partial dentures including chrome dentures), Fixed Prosthodontics (crowns and bridges), Orthodontics (removable appliances), CAD/CAM systems for removable and fixed prosthodontics. If you cannot access these in your workplace, you must arrange this by visiting laboratories near you or by travelling to Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Selection Procedure:

The initial selection is done in the workplace by employed staff in commercial or health service dental laboratories. Cardiff Met's entry requirements are stated above.

Students are expected to be employed in a dental laboratory on a full-time agreement or contract.

Dental Laboratory employers must pass an audit interview to ensure a safe working environment for students. Full details about the audit interview can be found in the Placements Form, available from our website's Compulsory Supporting Documents page. Audit interviews are planned between the 10th and the 14th of June 2024 and the 12th to the 16th of August 2024, between 10:00 and 15:00.

The student and their mentor must attend Cardiff Met during the induction week for training. The date of the induction week can be found on our website HERE.

Contact Us

For course specific enquiries please contact the programme leader, Edward Mapley:

Email: emapley@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Tel: 029 2041 6899​​

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We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

Campus:
Llandaff Campus

School:
Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences

Course Length:
Three years part-time.