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Dental Technicians Act, 1979 (Act No. 19 of 1979)

Regulations

Regulations regarding the Registration and Training of Student Dental Technicians and Student Dental Technologists, 2022

11. Minimum curriculum for courses leading to registration as a dental technologist

 

(1)

(a) The period of professional study in dental technology must be from the date of registration as a student dental technologist, at an approved institution until the date on which the appropriate recognised qualification, entitling such student dental technologist to register as a dental technologist, is awarded, or until such time as a National Professional Examination when available, has been passed.
(b) The period referred to in paragraph (a) must consist of at least the minimum time prescribed for that qualification level as it appears on the NQSF, inclusive of both academic training at an approved institution and such work integrated learning as may be determined under sub regulation (3)(f).
(c) A student dental technologist will not be allowed to complete a four-year Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Dental Technology in more than six years or a Postgraduate Diploma in more than two years .
(d) In the event where a student dental technologist enrols on the Extended Curriculum Programme, a further one year must be allowed over and above the time period contemplated in regulation (1)(b).

 

(2) All subjects must, from the first year of study, be aimed at training in dental technology and the professional development of a dental technologist.

 

(3) The syllabus for professional study for any of the Council approved qualifications at any of the NQSF levels must consist of systematic instruction and, where applicable, practical work, and must cover the following:
(a) all  aspects  of  modern  dental  technology  that  are  benchmarked internationally;
(b) dental materials science appropriate to the aspects referred to in paragraph (a) and underpinned by the appropriate applied and biosciences ;
(c) dental technology  and other  related legislation  that  impacts on the profession of dental technology practising as a dental technologist;
(d) professional conduct and bioethics;
(e) general dental laboratory management, business competence and business practice related subjects focused on the application in dental technology;
(f) profession-specific and work-integrating learning, aimed at preparing students for the world of work in general, but focused on the profession of dental technology, which must enable student dental technologists to successfully participate as employees in a registered dental laboratory, and-as employers, entrepreneurs or supervisors of dental laboratories; and
(g) the ability to engage and conduct profession-directed research that must contribute to the development of the dental technology profession .