COLLEGE OF DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS OF ONTARIO

COMPETENCY PROFILE OF CANADIAN DENTAL TECHNICIANS/TECHNOLOGISTS GENERAL STATEMENT

In order to meet the requirements of the Consortium, a dental technician/technologist must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the prescription of an authorized practitioner and competency in the following techniques and procedures:

1. The design, fabrication, modification and repair of removable prostheses.
2. The design, fabrication, modification and repair of fixed prostheses.
3. The design, fabrication, modification and repair of appliances used in orthodontics, oral and maxillo-facial surgery and other dental treatments.

   Further, a dental technician/technologist must be able to describe and, where appropriate, to apply competently the following related theoretical and practical components of dental technique/technology practice:

4. General laboratory procedures, principles of physics and general science associated with the indirect fabrication of dental appliances.
5. Characteristics and properties of dental materials associated with the indirect fabrication of oral appliances.
6. Characteristics and operation of equipment and instrumentation associated with the indirect fabrication of oral appliances.
7. Dental anatomy, dental physiology and dental morphology as well as basic elements of head and neck anatomy and pathological conditions relevant to dental technique/technology.
8. Laboratory hygiene and safety, including infection control as well as basic elements of toxicology and first aid.
9. Basic principles of behavioral sciences and communications.
10. Principles of professional ethics and legal obligations.
11. Basic elements of business management, laboratory supervision and the relationship of dental technique/technology with other dental services and general health care.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS BY GROUPING

1. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in the design, fabrication, modification and repair of removable prostheses. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 1.1 Describing reasons for provision of removable prostheses, their limitations and contra-indications.
• 1.2 Describing how complete prostheses are designed and constructed, and identifying the components of a removable partial denture, including various clasp designs.
• 1.3 Designing and fabricating custom impression trays used for the construction of removable appliances.
• 1.4 Preparing working casts from a supplied impression
  • 1.4.1 Evaluation of impressions.
  • 1.4.2 Boxing and pouring impressions.
  • 1.4.3 Separating, trimming and evaluating casts.
• 1.5 Constructing base plates and occlusion rims.
• 1.6 Articulating casts using supplied intra-oral registrations.
• 1.7 Using articulators during the fabrication of removable prostheses.
• 1.8 Fabricating, modifying and repairing cast metal components of removable prostheses.
  • 1.8.1 Surveying casts and designing frameworks.
  • 1.8.2 Blocking out and duplicating master casts.
  • 1.8.3 Preparing the refractory cast for the application of patterns.
  • 1.8.4 Waxing frameworks.
  • 1.8.5 Spruing and investing wax patterns.
  • 1.8.6 Burning out investments and casting metal frameworks.
  • 1.8.7 Framework recovery procedures and preparation for initial try-in on the cast.
  • 1.8.8 Seating framework on the cast.
    • 1.8.8.1 Evaluating fit of frameworks.
    • 1.8.8.2 Making required adjustments.
  • 1.8.9 Utilizing standard repair procedures, soldering and welding techniques.
• 1.9 Setting up artifical teeth.
• 1.10 Fabricating, modifying and repairing processed acrylic components of removable prostheses.
  • 1.10.1 Contouring denture wax-ups prior to try-in and processing.
  • 1.10.2 Flasking and processing acrylic and recovering prostheses.
  • 1.10.3 Remounting prostheses after recovery and adjusting occlusal discrepancies through selective grinding and milling.
  • 1.10.4 Finishing and polishing processed acrylic.
  • 1.10.5 Describing principles and methods of providing resilient liners in new and existing prostheses.
  • 1.10.6 Relining, rebasing and repairing processed acrylic components of removable prostheses.

2. The dental technologist/technician must be competent in the design, fabrication, modification and repair of fixed prostheses, including veneers, inlays, onlays, indirect post and cores, crowns and bridges. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 2.1 Describing reasons for provision of fixed prostheses, their limitations and contra-indications.
• 2.2 Describing how fixed prostheses are designed and constructed.
  • 2.2.1 Describing the components of fixed prostheses.
  • 2.2.2 Describing how teeth are prepared in order to accept indirect restorations.
  • 2.2.3 Describing how the design of the occlusal surface of fixed restorations is related to occlusal forces.
• 2.3 The laboratory phases of the treatment planning process.
  • 2.3.1 The articulation of study casts using supplied intra-oral registrations.
  • 2.3.2 The fabrication of diagnostic wax-ups.
  • 2.3.3 The duplication of casts.
  • 2.3.4 The fabrication of matrices used in the preparation of temporary restorations.
• 2.4 Designing and fabricating custom impression trays.
• 2.5 Preparing working casts and dies from a supplied impression.
  • 2.5.1 Evaluation of impressions.
  • 2.5.2 Pouring impressions and evaluate casts.
  • 2.5.3 Separating cast from impression, trimming casts, sectioning and trimming dies, marking margins and evaluating casts.
• 2.6 Identifying tooth preparation for different types of fixed restorations, including various margin designs.
• 2.7 The articulation of working casts using supplied intra-oral registrations and using articulators during the fabrication of fixed prostheses.
• 2.8 Constructing temporary and provisional fixed restorations.
• 2.9 Constructing all metal fixed restorations and the metal components of metal-ceramic and metal-polymer restorations.
  • 2.9.1 Designing various metal framework.
  • 2.9.2 Developing wax patterns.
  • 2.9.3 Spruing and investing wax patterns.
  • 2.9.4 Burning out investments and casting frameworks using recognized alloys.
  • 2.9.5 Recovering casting.
  • 2.9.6 Preparing casting to working cast and adjusting occlusion.
  • 2.9.7 Fitting casting to working cast and adjusting occlusion.
    • 2.9.7.1 Evaluating fit of casting, including recognizing accurate margin adaptation, proximal contacts and occlusion.
    • 2.9.7.2 Making adjustments required to fully seat casting on working cast.
    • 2.9.7.3 Adjusting occlusion on working casts.
  • 2.9.8 Soldering.
  • 2.9.9 Finishing and polishing restorations.
  • 2.9.10 Adapting special techniques such as electroforming and foil application to restorations.

3. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in the design, fabrication, modification and repair of orthodontics and occlusal appliances and of appliances used in oral and maxillo-facial surgery and other dental treatments. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 3.1 Describing reasons for provision of orthodontics and occlusal appliances and of appliances used in oral and maxillo-facial surgery and other dental treatments, their limitations and contra-indications.
• 3.2 Describing the components of orthodontics and occlusal appliances and of appliances used in oral and maxillo-facial survery and other dental treatments.
• 3.3 Describing design and construction of simple fixed and removable orthodontic appliances.
  • 3.3.1 Describing classifications of malocclusion.
  • 3.3.2 Describing records required for orthodontic treatment.
  • 3.3.3 Preparing and evaluating orthodontic study casts.
  • 3.3.4 Describing how forces can be applied to obtain tooth movement.
• 3.4 Adapting techniques and materials to the construction of orthodontics and occlusal appliances and of appliances used in oral and maxillo-facial surgery and other dental treatments.
  • 3.4.1 Contouring and placing various types of arch wires, clasps, springs, bands, indirect brackets and screws.
  • 3.4.2 Processing self cured and photo cured and heat cured polymers.
  • 3.4.3 Using vacuum or pressure formed materials.
  • 3.4.4 Soldering and spot welding.
  • 3.4.5 Finishing and polishing appliances.
  • 3.4.6 Repairing appliances

4. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in principles of physics and general science related to the practice of dental technique/technology. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 4.1 Describing and applying with the appropriate measuring apparatus, units of measurement of length, mass, volume, temperature and pressure.
• 4.2 Describing mechanical principles, basic concepts of force, stress and strain, and relating these to fabrication and physical testing of materials and appliances.
• 4.3 Describing the nature and importance of heat as it relates to dental materials and appliances, including pyrometry, thermal expansion, heat conduction, latent heat and exothermic reactions.
• 4.4 Describing and applying in the dental laboratory, basic elements of electricity, such as current, voltage, power, conduction, induction, resistance, anodes, cathodes and arcs, including their relationship to motors, furnace and other laboratory equipment.
• 4.5 Describing the mature and importance of chemical elements as they relate to dental materials and appliances such as atomic structure of elements, valency, formation of compounds, chemical reactions, oxidation, reduction, ionization, corrosion, electrochemistry, flame chemistry, catalysts and polymers.
• 4.6 Describing the nature and importance of light as it relates to dental materials and appliances, such as wave length and visible, ifra red and ultraviolet spectra, generation, conduction, refraction, diffusion, reflection, absorption, colour, illumination, magnification.
  • 4.6.1 Applying knowledge of the nature of light to the selection of shade for esthetic restorations.
• 4.7 Describing the nature and importance of sound as it relates to dental materials and appliances, such as generation and sources, transmission quality, intensity, wave length, and ultrasound.

5. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in describing properties and characteristics of dental materials related to the practice of dental technique/technology. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 5.1 Classifying dental materials according to their structure and physical properties.
• 5.2 Describing the clinical application of major materials and related economic considerations affecting choice of materials and techniques.
• 5.3 Choosing dental materials best suited to particular applications on the basis of their characteristics and properties.
  • 5.3.1 Relating mechanical properties of materials to their stress/strain curves.
  • 5.3.2 Relating the behaviour of metals and alloys to their constitutions and structures, in particular grain size.
  • 5.3.3 Describing properties of casting alloys.
  • 5.3.4 Describing properties of soldering alloys.
  • 5.3.5 Describing properties of wrought metals and wires.
  • 5.3.6 Describing properties of elastomers.
  • 5.3.7 Describing properties of gypsum products.
  • 5.3.8 Describing properties of refractory materials.
  • 5.3.9 Describing properties of polymer resins.
  • 5.3.10 Describing properties of thermoplastic materials such as waxes and synthetic resins.
  • 5.3.11 Describing properties of ceramics.
  • 5.3.12 Describing properties of cements.
• 5.4 Utilizing dental materials in the most appropriate fashion by taking into account the effects of different manipulation on different types of materials such as:
  • 5.4.1 Describing the effect of casting, cooling, cold working and hot working on the properties of metals and alloys.
  • 5.4.2 Utilizing impression materials such as but not limited to gypsum, impression compound, zinc-oxide and eugenol, hydrocolloids, poly-sulphur and silicones.
  • 5.4.3 Utilizing cast and die materials such as but not limited to gypsum products, epoxy resins and electrodeposited metals.
  • 5.4.4 Utilizing pattern materials such as but not limited to wax and acrylic.
  • 5.4.5 Utilizing investment materials.
  • 5.4.6 Utilizing denture base materials.
  • 5.4.7 Utilizing base plate materials.
  • 5.4.8 Utilizing restorative polymers.
  • 5.4.9 Utilizing porcelain.
  • 5.4.10 Utilizing dental cements.
  • 5.4.11 Utilizing electro-chemicals for electro-deposition and electro-polishing.
  • 5.4.12 Utilizing chemical etching materials.
  • 5.4.13 Utilizing lubricants, abrasives and polishing materials.
• 5.5 Recognizing and being able to remedy possible material defects.

6. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in describing characteristics of and in operating special equipment and instrumentation associated with the fabrication of oral appliances. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 6.1 Describing the principles of operation of the major types of equipment appropriate to the procedures performed in dental technique/technology. Such equipment includes electrical equipment, melting equipment, air operated equipment, vacuum equipment, hand operated equipment, cutting instruments and equipment, articulators and parallelometers.
• 6.2 Selecting and utilizing equipment, appropriate to the procedures specified, safely and efficiently.
• 6.3 Recognizing equipment breakdown or faults of operation and taking corrective action.
• 6.4 Carrying out routine maintenance and simple repair procedures for standard equipment.
• 6.5 Using and maintaining hand tools to ensure safety and efficiency.

7. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in the application of dental anatomy, dental physiology and dental morphology to the indirect fabrication of oral appliances. He must also be competent in describing basic elements of head and neck anatomy and demonstrating awareness pathological conditions relevant to dental technique/technology. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 7.1 Awareness of the basic physiology and kinematics of mandibular movement, the structure and function of the temporo-mandibular movement, the structure and function of the temporo-mandibular joint and related diseases/disfunctions and their treatment.
• 7.2 Describing the structure, function, notation, relations and growth patterns of teeth.
• 7.3 Describing factors which affect the development and permanence of teeth, abnormalities of growth and malocclusion and the structure, functions and importance of bone, tooth, cartilage and muscle tissue in relation to dental technique/technology.
• 7.4 Awareness of the process of ageing and senescence in relation to oral tissues.
• 7.5 Awareness of the process of adaptation and habituation, the endodonticaly treated tooth, tooth loss and socket healing.
• 7.6 Awareness of the range of physiological responses to prosthetic procedures.
• 7.7 Describing the skeletal anatomy an physiology of the head and neck and associated musculature relevant to dental technique/technology.
• 7.8 Demonstrating awareness of anatomical variations, disorders and diseases affecting the oral cavity.
• 7.9 Demonstrating awareness of the role in oral health of candidiasis, denture sore mouth, xerostomia and of the allergenic potential of dental materials.

8. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in describing and applying basic elements of laboratory hygiene, laboratory safety, toxicology, infection control, and first aid. Competencies include:

• 8.1 Describing potential hazards in the laboratory, including flame and heat, rotary equipment, particulate matter, corrosives, vapours and gases, plating solutions electrical hazards.
• 8.2 Demonstrating knowledge of regulations, protocols and sources of information dealing with hazardous materials, safety precautions and infection control.
• 8.3 Describing and applying basic procedures for control of dangerous materials.
• 8.4 Demonstrating a basic understanding of the effects of dental materials and appliances on tissues.
• 8.5 Describing and applying required infection control procedures.
• 8.6 Describing principles of infection, cross infection, and general hygiene and their relevance to dental technique/technology.
• 8.7 Demonstrating basic ability in first aid procedures.

9. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in describing and applying basic elements of behavioural sciences and communications. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 9.1 Explaining and describing basic principles of behavioural science and communication related to interacting harmoniously and effectively with practitioners, patients, employees, business contacts and the public.
• 9.2 Recognizing and showing respect and appreciation for the needs, expectations and values of others.
• 9.3 Communicating and working well with others in teams and groups.
• 9.4 Explaining and describing basic principles of public relations and how these may be applied practically.

10. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in explaining and describing the obligations and ethics of the profession, and the position of the profession in the health care delivery system. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 10.1 Explaining and describing the obligations of the profession to the public, to regulatory authorities and to professional bodies.
• 10.2 Describing the fundamentals of legislation that affects the practices of dental technique/technology.
• 10.3 Describing the relationship of dental technique/technology services to dentistry and denturism and their collective relationship to the community and other health professions.
• 10.4 Describing the fundamental principles of patient record keeping and the confidentiality of patient information.

11. The dental technician/technologist must be competent in explaining and describing basic elements of practical business management, legal obligations, contracts and insurance. Competence must be demonstrated in:

• 11.1 Describing steps in establishing and managing a dental laboratory, including planning, financing, personnel hiring and management, staff development and training, contracts, partnerships, legal obligations and liabilities.
• 11.2 Describing dental and other legislation regulating or affecting the operation of a dental technique/ technology service.
• 11.3 Demonstrating awareness of basic techniques of supervision and instruction.
• 11.4 Demonstrating awareness of basic principles of sound financial management.
• 11.5 Demonstrating awareness of how to assess personal and business insurance requirements.
• 11.6 Demonstrating awareness of the role of computers in a dental laboratory.
• 11.7 Describing how to maintain legally and professionally defensible records of services.
• 11.8 Explaining and describing how to market or promote dental technique/technology through advertising or other means in a fashion consistent with professional, ethical and regulatory constraints.