The Malta Dental Technologists Association, MDTA, in collaboration with F.E.P.P.D., the European Federation for Dental Lab owners and Dental Technicians, is promoting The Dental Technician’s Day, being celebrated today.

F.E.P.P.D., came up with the idea of informing the European dental patient of the exclusive role, this particular profession holds in the dental Professional team, as the manufactures of all forms of custom-made dental appliances.

• What is the role of the Dental Technician, or Technologist as it is known locally?

The Dental Technologist forms part of the dental team, in the technical role of transforming a prescription issued by a Dental Practitioner, constructing a custom made dental device for an identified dental patient. Alternatively, he services already in use devices in  repair and alteration as required.

A dental Technologist may also manufacture specialised appliances.

These devices may vary from Orthodontic braces, fixed or removable, meant to align proper tooth positions. Functional appliances, constructed  to improve occlusion and complicated jaw relationship, after surgery.

Removable dentures in acrylic or chrome cobalt, replacing partially or totally lost teeth in the oral cavity, to help the dental patient regain his original mastication and speech phonetics.

Fixed crown and bridge work, in a wide variety of materials and techniques including implantables. These devices serve to preserve the oral tissue in the best condition possible.

The dental Technologist also has a role in maxillofacial restoration, in reconstructing faces damaged by disease or accidents.

• Education and status of the profession.

The Dental Technology course held at the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the University of Malta, is a 3 year course, awarding a B.Sc(Hons) in D.T.  Within a scientific background, it takes a high element of manual dexterity and an eye for detail, along with IT knowledge to keep abreast of the modern technological innovations in our profession.

•  Regulation of the profession.

Locally the profession is regulated by Maltese law within the Health Professions Act, as an Allied Health care professional, and any practicing qualified technologist is registered with the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine (CPCM),  subject to a Code of Ethics and a Code of Conduct. As manufacturers of custom made dental devices, Dental Technologists are obliged to conform  by the Medical Devices Regulation, presently in transition from the Medical Devices Directive.

• Scope of the Dental Technician’s Day event.

F.E.P.P.D. decided to launch this activity, using it as a means of awareness to the general public to publicise the profession of the Dental Technician in its proper status, the legal standing and the services  provided in favour of the dental patient. May 2020 will see the coming into force of the Medical Devices Regulation which will assure more transparency in the services we provide to the benefit of dental patients.