Dental Technician - Level 5 Apprenticeship (Starting between August 2023 and July 2024)

The structure of the course meets the requirements of the Level 5 Dental Technician (Integrated) Higher Apprenticeship standard. Alongside the development of knowledge, skills, and behaviours in the workplace, this apprenticeship also involves study for a Foundation Degree in Dental Technology. The aim of the Foundation Degree Dental Technology is to produce competent technicians that are able to apply for registration as Dental Technicians with the General Dental Council (GDC) upon successful completion of the programme. Throughout their studies, students should develop the knowledge, practical, intellectual, and behavioural skills necessary for a career in Dental Technology, as well as the potential to progress onto higher learning and/or senior roles. Students completing the course could go on to pursue careers as registered Dental Technicians in a range of NHS and commercial laboratory based organisations, or choose to progress into further study. The course has been designed with the input of employers and other stakeholders to meet the needs of the industry. The course is made up of nine modules that are designed to link the theoretical knowledge of anatomy, materials, legislation, and appliance design to the practical skills required to produce fit for purpose dental appliances. The course is delivered on a part-time basis. Students will be timetabled for 1 day of study per week for a period of 3 years. On top of this, students will undertake two 30 credit 'Employment Development' modules during their time on the programme, each requiring at least 150 hours of work placement (which, for apprentice learners, can be their time in the workplace). These modules are an essential part of the learning in the foundation degree. The teaching and learning on other modules will be linked to the skills and behaviours that will be learned and developed in the work placements. The timetabled sessions for this programme will be delivered in a blended way - some sessions will require in-person attendance at Yeovil College, and some will be delivered via live, synchronous, online delivery (e.g. via Microsoft Teams). Applicants should be aware that the split of face-to-face and online delivery is determined by the content of each module and its split of practical and theoretical skills. This means that students' timetables will dictate which weeks they need to be on-site and which weeks will be delivered online - students would not be able to choose their own attendance pattern. Over the entirety of the programme, approximately half of timetabled sessions will be delivered on-campus, and half will be via live online sessions.

The apprentice must be employed in a Dental Laboratory as an apprentice Dental Technician and must record at least 150 hours of work experience covering all specialities of Dental Technology, for each of the two mandatory work experience/placement modules, one at level 4 and one at level 5. The work experience must be carried out in a Dental laboratory whilst actively carrying out the role of a trainee Dental Technician.

Dental Technician (integrated) Apprenticeship, including a Foundation Degree (FD) in Dental Technology awarded by the Open University and regulated by the Office for Students.

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to apply to register as a qualified Dental Technician with the General Dental Council. Applicants should note that applying for registration is a process governed by the GDC - at present there is a fee to register and insurance requirements that must be met as part of the application for registration. This gives employment opportunities in commercial and NHS dental laboratories. Students who successfully complete the programme may also choose to apply to progress onto a related Level 6 programme such as a BSc (Hons) in Dental Technology or wider health related program.

As part of the Foundation Degree you will study a range of units that will develop your specialist knowledge and skills. These include: Applied Head and Neck Anatomy and Physiology - this also includes oral disease and the application of this knowledge to maintain oral structures when designing appliances. Applied Dental Materials Science - including health and safety, and both traditional and contemporary materials and their influence on design and manufacture. Dental Appliance Design and Manufacturing - encompassing both traditional and digital design and manufacture. Employment Development 1 - the first work placement module, encompassing contemporary manufacturing processes, employment skills and behaviours, and reflective practice. Professional Practice - including the dental team, communication, professional standards and ethics, regulation, and the industry structure. Dental Appliance Design and Manufacture Removable Prosthodontics - including full and partial dentures and orthodontic devices, both traditional and digital. Dental Appliance Design and Manufacture Fixed Prosthodontics - including crown and bridge work, both traditional and digital. Employment Development 2 - the second work placement module, encompassing contemporary manufacturing processes, employment enhancing skills and behaviours and reflective practice. Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline or in response to student and stakeholder feedback. Students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in the course handbook.

The course is taught by registered Dental Technicians and well qualified tutors with a wide range of relevant experience who are dedicated to ensuring student success through effective curriculum delivery and high-quality pastoral support.

A typical week has around 6 hours of contact time in taught sessions (face to face or online, as stipulated by the timetable), plus additional 1-1 support available by student request. As with all higher education programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development and should expect to spend at least 15 hours per week on personal study, skill development and completing assessment tasks independently outside of lectures. Each module will have a number of assessments both academic and practical that will need to be completed by set deadlines. There will also be a work based portfolio that has to be completed and submitted. In the final module the End Point Assessment will be carried out, which consists of three parts. Alongside this, apprentices will be expected to develop and evidence a range of knowledge, skills, and behaviours in the workplace.

For more information on how apprenticeships are funded, please visit the IFATE website or speak to the College's Employer Engagement team. Students will be required to fund their own travel and workplace expenses. Beyond this, there are no required additional costs for the programme. Beyond this, there are no required additional costs for the programme. Due to the nature of the practical tasks carried out, students may wish to purchase their own hand tools although some will be available when at college. Whilst some students may choose to buy their own copies of certain key texts this isn't essential as relevant resources are available through the College's Learning Resources Centre. Throughout the course there are opportunities to undertake trips and visits to industry exposition events and trade shows. Whilst these are not mandatory, they will enrich the learning experience. Students would be expected to fund their own travel to and from such events.

You will be assessed using a range of methods both for formative (practice) and summative (graded) assessments, including essays, reflective pieces, exams, presentations, observations, case studies, assignments, witness testimonies, discussion, and practical assessments. The requirements of the 'End Point Assessment' of the apprenticeship standard, as published on the IFATE website in the apprenticeship standard, must also be satisfied to successfully complete the programme. Feedback will be provided to you in writing and verbally, along with information reflecting your performance and recommendations for improvement.

Whilst an Apprenticeship is a job, and so employment decisions are made by the employer, we recommend that apprentices meet the entry criteria below. Typical entry requirements are 48 UCAS tariff points from two A levels or equivalent, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas, Access to HE Diploma or International Baccalaureate, (UCAS tariff points from other Level 3 qualifications are generally accepted), including study in at least one science or health-related discipline. Alternatively, successful completion of the Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship would also meet the entry requirements for this course. GCSE Maths and GCSE English at grade 4 or above (or equivalent) are highly desirable. Evidence of a previous science qualification at GCSE grade 4 or above (or equivalent) is highly desirable. As part of our strong commitment to contextual admissions, we welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over as of 1st September in the academic year of admission) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. Mature students requesting contextual admission are required to provide details of their relevant prior work or study experience, and to also undertake a pre-entry admissions assessment to ensure there is suitable grounds to suggest they are academically ready to begin the programme and there is a reasonable expectation that they will succeed in their studies. All applicants will be invited to an admission interview that will include a panel interview, presentation and manual dexterity assessment, and will be advised of the details in advance. International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language.

If you are interested in running this apprenticeship, please contact the College's Employer Engagement Team (contact details below). If you are interested in studying this apprenticeship, apply via the website, call the Apprenticeship team - 01935 845392, or email apprenticeships@yeovil.ac.uk Please note, the Foundation Degree element of this programme is also available on a 'standalone' basis for those who wish to study the qualification without undertaking the apprenticeship.