Dental Technology: This field is essential for preparing all the materials and devices needed by dental clinics. The primary responsibility of this department is to manufacture dental prostheses—artificial teeth that replace missing or damaged ones—according to the precise measurements and specifications provided by dentists.

The field of Dental Technology has become one of the most critical areas within dentistry. Graduates of this program are known as Dental Technologists.

Dental Technologists, often referred to as dental industry experts, are key members of the dental healthcare team. Their role is indispensable, as the field of dentistry relies heavily on their expertise. Dental Technology is just as crucial as dentistry itself, as it ensures the successful completion of dental treatments. Dental technologists create custom dental prosthetics based on impressions or digital scans provided by dentists to achieve optimal results for patients.

The Dental Technology Program at Palestine Polytechnic University aims to deliver pioneering and globally recognized educational programs that elevate students to levels of excellence and distinction. The overarching objectives of the program include graduating a new generation of students equipped to serve the local community across various medical professions, thereby broadening their horizons in academic, research, and professional fields. This initiative ensures that graduates are well-prepared, competitive, and competent in diverse therapeutic and rehabilitative areas. The program is designed to provide the best opportunities for graduates, enabling them to pursue innovative therapeutic approaches and contribute effectively to the progress and sustainable continuity of the Palestinian society.

General Objectives

1. Address the shortage of health programs in the southern governorates, particularly in Hebron.
2. Improve health services in the Palestinian society by supplying the health sector with qualified personnel in dental technology, thereby raising the overall quality of life.
3. Create plans and policies for occupational health projects, focusing on reducing health risks and negative impacts on workers through increased awareness and prevention skills.
4. Engage with governmental and non-governmental sectors by offering specialized guidance for oral and dental patients.
5. Prepare professionals capable of delivering research, educational, and clinical services.
6. Address community issues by contributing to the rehabilitation of the wounded and injured, transforming them into active members who can support themselves and their families.
7. Strengthen ties between higher education institutions and the local community across various sectors.
8. Develop and strengthening resources necessary for scientific research in related fields.
9. Align with the college and university's developmental goals, equipping students to play their role in the rapidly advancing educational landscape.
10. Supply the community with qualified individuals who are aware of their role in enhancing health and professional standards in all areas of rehabilitation.
11. Promote university-community interaction by increasing collaboration between the university's academic staff and relevant local institutions to elevate community service to international standards, including coordination and networking to support activities in dental technology.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the Dental Technology program aim to equip students with precise skills that enhance the overall oral health of the community, while also improving the quality of life for those in need of treatment.

• Produce qualified and highly trained professionals in dental technology to elevate the standard of dentistry.
• Provide students with the necessary professional, research, and applied skills to prepare them for the labor market.
• Equip students with essential knowledge in dental technology and related sciences.
• Instil in students a strong ethical foundation and compassion toward patients.
• Develop students' communication skills to effectively collaborate with dentists and contribute to successful treatment plans.
• Train students to recognize key local needs in related fields, particularly in occupational settings that pose risks to oral health.
• Enhance students' ability to work in teams with health and medical professionals, thereby improving the quality of care in health institutions.
• Build graduates' research skills on solid scientific foundations to contribute to an informed understanding of health issues in Palestine.
• Adopt international training standards and apply them to the Palestinian context to enhance students' practical skills.
• Train students to establish connections with global institutions related to dentistry and improve their skills in media relations, which facilitates research collaboration, partnerships, and grants.
• Prepare graduates with the tools they need to pursue further academic studies both locally and internationally.
• Offer consultations, training, and services to relevant institutions and form partnerships that enhance these institutions' capabilities.
• Activate students' roles in community service projects and promote a culture of volunteering, which strengthens their sense of belonging.
• Enhance students' practical abilities by involving international trainers who familiarize them with the work environment and provide hands-on experience.
• Ensure students are proficient with the equipment used in dental manufacturing by providing specialized laboratories with the latest tools.
• Introduce students to the core theoretical and applied concepts in dental technology.
• Empower students with modern skills to excel in their professional roles.
• Prepare students to continue their academic journey in graduate studies.
• Train technicians capable of operating dental equipment and aligning their work with the needs specified by dentists.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) for the Dental Technology Program

• Ensure the technician’s proficiency in using dental technology.
• Develop the ability to effectively interact with dentists.
• Graduate qualified, trained, and competent dental technologists.
• Understand the properties of materials used in the manufacturing process.
• Follow instructions in technical manuals accurately.
• Troubleshoot and correct manufacturing errors effectively.
• Use correct dental and anatomical terminology relevant to restorative dentistry.
• Apply knowledge of anatomical and physiological aspects in the manufacturing of dental appliances.
• Understand how to read dental prescriptions accurately.
• Use effective communication skills in professional settings.
• Know and apply appropriate safety procedures related to laboratory materials and equipment.
• Exercise discretion and good judgment in all aspects of work.
• Know and implement infection control procedures relevant to dental laboratory technology.
• Apply mathematical knowledge to determine proportions and convert measurements accurately.
• Read and analyze existing research in the field of dentistry.
• Demonstrate understanding and support of the Code of Professional Ethics and adhere to the profession’s scope of practice.
• Construct functional and aesthetic dentures.
• Demonstrate knowledge in scanning and design by constructing removable partial dentures.
• Repair all types of oral prostheses.
• Develop and construct various types of fixed crowns or bridges, both single-unit and multi-unit.
• Design and construct orthodontic appliances capable of correcting specific malocclusions.
• Construct complete sets of implant dentures.
• Construct removable dental bridges and appliances using implant attachments.

Program Outcomes for Graduates

1. Knowledge and Understanding: The Dental Technology program is a critical field within the health professions, providing essential knowledge and understanding.
2. Mental (Cognitive) Skills: Graduates will develop cognitive skills, enabling them to effectively interact with patients undergoing medical examinations as well as with dentists.
3. Practical and Applied Skills: This program aims to create a new generation of dental industry specialists who are highly skilled and efficient in dealing with dental technology.
4. Transferable Skills: The program is designed to cultivate highly qualified and well-trained technicians who can adapt their skills across various settings.
5. Communication Skills and Information Technology: Strong communication skills are essential for dental technicians, enabling them to interact effectively with dentists, referring doctors, colleagues in nursing and other technical fields, as well as with patients and their families.
6. Behavioral and Ethical Skills: The program emphasizes the importance of good behavior and ethics, which should be passed down from one generation to the next. It seeks to deepen ethical behavior, national identity, and professional conduct through courses related to religion (Islamic culture and jurisprudence), modern Palestinian history, and the ethics of the profession. This includes fostering a strong relationship between individuals and their community, their work, and their public life.

The profession of dental technician is in high demand globally due to its close association with dentistry. Graduates of this program have a wide range of job opportunities, including:

1. Private Dental Technology Laboratories.
2. Government Sector Laboratories.
3. Educational Laboratories.
4. Advanced Dental Manufacturing Centers (CAD/CAM).
5. University-Affiliated Laboratories.
6. Laboratory Materials Representative for Private Companies.
7. Private Laboratory Ownership.
8. Postgraduate Studies: Pursue further education in the field of dental technology.