Basic of Dental Technology 3 (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

November-December 2025

Objective

TThe Basics of Dental Technology 3 course consists of both lectures in occlusal physiology (1cr) and simulation training in the dental laboratory facilities of the HT training (4cr).

After completing the course, the student will be able to:
- describe the needs related to occlusal physiological oral care, the principles of treatment and treatment practices, and the treatment teams
- manufactures occlusal splints both digitally and manually

Content

The student prepares the following as assignments:
- scanning, use of a design program, occlusal splint design
- occlusal guides
- relaxation-stabilization-occlusal splints

The Institute of Dentistry is responsible for theoretical studies.

Materials

Lectures and any additional materials are available on Itslearning.

Teaching methods

The course integrates work-life orientation, advanced learning of digital methods, and team-based learning.

Exam schedules

At the end of the course, there will be an exam on the course materials, which are available in the Itslearning area.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Each course begins with an introductory lecture that presents the learning objectives and the required written and simulation assignments. The lecture also outlines the course schedule and assessment, and launches the theoretical orientation to the topic. After this the teacher demonstrates the work stages; the student then practises the same stage in a simulation environment and finally applies it to their own project in the programme’s dental-laboratory facilities. Work is carried out both independently and in groups, with students giving one another feedback as the projects progress. The teacher is present during simulation sessions to guide students and, when necessary, to provide individual support. All projects simulate real laboratory patient cases, and interim assessments use the same criteria applied in professional dental laboratories. The student records lectures and work stages as concise notes and uploads them, together with self-assessment, to the Itslearning platform when submitting each task. This portfolio serves as both a formative and a summative assessment tool.

To keep the project on schedule, the student must complete the tasks for each course within the timetable defined for that course. By the end of the autumn semester all projects must be fully finished.

The final grade is based on how well the student meets the learning objectives of each course and on how closely the completed projects satisfy the stated assessment criteria.

Throughout the courses the recycling of material waste generated during the work and methods for minimising that waste are also addressed

Student workload

Student workload: approx. 135 hours, including 40 hours of theory and simulation sessions in the dental-technology facilities on the ICT-City campus and 27 hours of compulsory lectures at the University of Turku Faculty of Dentistry.

The course covers:

1) Occlusal guides and relaxation- and stabilisation splints
2) The model scanner and the scanning process
3) Use of design software: 3Shape and Blender for Dental
4) Design and fabrication of occlusal splints by milling and 3d printing

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course is graded on a scale from 1 to 5. The criteria for the exams, learning assignments, and practical projects are set at the beginning of the course. The final grade is determined by the partial grades awarded for the submitted projects, each contributing its own weight to the overall assessment. The course is passed once all projects have been successfully completed.

To earn a passing grade, the student must complete every project within the teacher’s schedule and in accordance with sustainable-development principles. Attendance is compulsory in contact sessions and expert lectures; any absences must be arranged in advance with the teacher responsible for the course.

Failed (0)

H (Fail) – The student does not complete the course assignments and does not demonstrate competence through practical tasks, written assignments, or attendance. The practical work or the exam receives a failing grade.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

1 (Passable) – The student has difficulty completing the course assignments and does not adequately demonstrate competence through practical tasks, written assignments, or attendance.

2 (Satisfactory) – The student completes and submits the course practical assignments during the semester, but still needs further practice to develop digital and/or manual skills. The student shows understanding and effort, yet feels uncertain when performing the work and in the use of facilities, materials, and equipment.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

3 (Good) – The student completes both the practical and written assignments for the course, works proactively and diligently, and submits the work within the semester. The assignment quality ranges from good to fair. The student shows clear understanding and genuine effort, and works carefully with the facilities, materials, and equipment.

4 (Very good) – The student demonstrates interest, initiative, and diligence, completes all tasks on time, and produces work of good to excellent quality. They work conscientiously with the facilities, materials, and equipment, and also show consideration for their fellow students.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 (Excellent) – The student is enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the subject, shows enterprise and initiative, and completes all tasks on time. The quality of the work is outstanding. The student works carefully with the facilities, materials, and equipment, and is considerate of fellow students.

Qualifications

Hammastekniikan perusteet 1 ja 2 -opintojaksojen suorittaminen hyväksytysti.

Further information

The Itslearning learning platform and email.