Dental Technology Profession

Scope of Practice

Dental Technologists design, fabricate, alter, repair, and supply fixed and removable dental prosthetics or appliances to be used in, upon, or in connection with any human tooth, jaw, or associated structure or tissue. The scope of practice for dental technology is outlined in the Profession Specific Regulations. They receive a prescription from another health professional like a dentist or denturist, from which they make these prosthetics or appliances. Dental Technologists are permitted to do intraoral procedures to confirm the function, contour, or shade of the prosthetics or appliances, including occasionally seeing individuals at their laboratories for shade-taking and matching appointments.

Within dental technology, technologists may work in one or more of the following disciplines:

1. Crown and bridge: these technologists often work with wax to mock up and idealize an intraoral situation. They would then use metal or other materials to fabricate and finish crowns, bridge frameworks, inlays or onlays, post and cores, and other fixed restorations.
2. Ceramics: technologists who are ceramists use porcelain-like materials layered onto a substrate to make a variety of fixed prostheses that mimic natural teeth in colour, shape and texture such as crowns, bridges, and veneers.
3. Removable Partial Dentures: RPD technologists design and fabricate partial dentures that combines a rigid framework with artificial teeth for individuals who are missing some, but not all natural teeth.
4. Complete Dentures: complete denture technologists design and fabricate removable prosthetics, typically in a type of acrylic, for individuals who are missing all of their teeth on one or more arches.
5. Orthodontics: technologists who practice orthodontics fabricate a multitude of fixed and removable appliances meant to treat irregularities of the teeth or jaw. They often use a variety of materials and techniques to make things such as retainers, space maintainers, biteplanes, and palatal expanders.

Additionally, many Dental Technologists in both fixed and removable disciplines work to restore dental implants and are employing CAD/CAM technology more and more. 

Licensure requirements

1. Education: Completion of a recognized dental technology program (or a substantially equivalent program for internationally educated dental technologists).
   a) There are 5 colleges across Canada that offer dental technology as a 2- or 3-year program.
   b) There is currently no program for dental technology in NS.
   c) The national federation of dental technology regulators – the Canadian Alliance of Dental Technology – of which the NSRDHDTD is a member, is working toward implementing a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition program for those with practical experiential knowledge or gaps in formal education.
2. Licensure: To practice dental technology in Nova Scotia, Dental Technologists  must be issued a licence by the NSRDHDTD and must be a current registrant. Individuals with no licence must obtain a permit from the NSDHDTD and may then work as dental laboratory technicians under the supervision of a Dental Technologist.
3. Protected Titles/Designations: In Nova Scotia, only those who hold a licence and are current NSRDHDTD registrants can call themselves a Dental Technologist, Registered Dental Technologist, or use the initials “RDT” after their name as a professional designation.
4. Qualifying Examination: In NS (as well as NB, ON, AB, and BC) anyone wishing to become an RDT must participate in the credentialing and competency assessments provided by the Canadian Alliance of Dental Technology Regulators, which includes knowledge-based and practice-based examinations.
5. Continuing Education: Dental technologists are required to engage in the Continuing Competency Program for RDTs and complete ongoing professional development and continuing education to maintain their licensure. Dental technologists are expected to engage in activities that address and promote continuing competence, interprofessional collaboration, changes in practice environments, standards of practice, and the latest advancements in the field.
6. Practice Hours: Dental technologists are required to complete 600 practice hours within the three-year period immediately preceding an application, including renewals.