Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Advanced removable and fixed prosthetic restorations will be emphasized.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Verify written prescription instructions and clarify questions with the dentist regarding specifications on a variety of patient cases.
• Recognize the uniqueness and challenges associated with fabrication of advanced fixed or removable oral prosthetics by completing patient cases from DLT laboratories. 
• Recognize the need for and explain the purpose and process of fabricating a variety of orthodontic appliances.

1. Quizzes
2. Completion of assignments
3. Attendance and class participation

THEMES, CONCEPTS AND ISSUES:

1.   Specializing in Dental Laboratory Field of choice (removable or fixed)
2.   Discuss emerging specialties.
3.   TMJ dysfunction
4.   Legal and ethical implications
5.   Malocclusion
6.   Communication methods with Dental Clinics regarding pending cases specifically Dentists.
7.   Troubleshooting.
8.   Removable vs. fixed prosthetics.
9.   Retainers
10. Repair procedures
11. Role of the lab technician
12. Evaluate the impression and taking duplicate impressions
13. Alginate materials
14. The orthodontic study cast .

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

1.   Discuss the six dental specialties and explain their relationship to dental laboratory technology.

2.   Discuss the practice of orthodontic dentistry and define the role of the dental laboratory technician in this           field.

3.   Describe and demonstrate the techniques of taking alginate impressions for orthodontic study casts.

4.   Evaluate the quality of the impression and explain how to correct or improve it.

5.   Describe and demonstrate ability to operate advanced equipments.

6.   Discuss and differentiate new advanced materials currently being used for dental restorations.

7.   Describe and discuss treatment modalities that fall within the realm of oral surgery and relate each to the dental lab technician.

8.   Discuss and demonstrate ability to follow Lab safety and infection control protocols.

9.   Describe and discuss implant materials designs and techniques and relate dental implants to the dental laboratory technician.

10. Explain TMJ function and dysfunction and the role of the dental laboratory technician in the management of this disorder.

11. Discuss the specialty of maxillo-facial surgery and the replacement of lost oral and facial structures.

12. Define the roles of the dentist, the oral surgeon, the general surgeon and the dental laboratory technician in this type of treatment.

13. Describe and discuss the scope of treatment included in the specialty of periodontics and define the role of the dental lab technician in the management of periodontal disease.