Dental technicians do not have direct contact with patients. Instead they work in a dental laboratory where various prosthetic appliances are custom made. Dental technicians can be thought of as artists who, with a thorough understanding of dental materials science, use their artistic skills to fabricate the form, colour and function of individual teeth or maxillofacial prostheses for a patient. The fact that the product can affect the health and appearance of a person demands of the technician a high level of responsibility and accuracy. For this reason, the profession of dental technology is registered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2004. Graduates with the Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech) degree are automatically entitled to register with the New Zealand Dental Technicians Board.
This could consist of:
- Artificial teeth such as complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns and bridges and implant supported dentures in various materials such as acrylics, alloys, and ceramics;
- Removable orthodontic appliances consisting of springs and retainers in acrylic bases for the movement of teeth. Mouth guards to protect against sports injuries;
- Maxillofacial appliances such as artificial eyes, ears, and facial prostheses that may be required after surgical treatment.
