Diploma of Dental Technology

The HLT55118 Diploma of Dental Technology, delivered by the West Australian Institute of Further Studies (WAIFS) in Perth, prepares students for the role of a dental technician — constructing and repairing dentures and other dental appliances, including crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and orthodontic and maxillofacial surgical devices. Dental technicians typically work in dental laboratories, independently or in teams, under the prescription of dentists, dental prosthetists or dental specialists.

The qualification is extensive, comprising 25 units of competency (21 core, 4 elective), covering model construction, custom impression trays, registration rims, thermoformed bases, immediate and acrylic dentures, cast alloy partial denture frameworks, crown and bridge structures, ceramic restorations, orthodontic appliances, oral splints, denture repair, and CAD-based digital restoration design, alongside infection control, First Aid and workplace health and safety.

The course runs over 78 weeks (64 study weeks plus 14 weeks holiday), delivered two days a week (8:45am–5:00pm) at WAIFS' Perth campus, with quarterly intakes. Students who complete HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting first can have this Diploma reduced to around 12 months, with a lower combined tuition fee, since many units overlap.

Graduates can progress into further Diploma-level or degree health qualifications. As of the current fee schedule this course is not open to new international enrolments.