Health Sciences

Diploma in Dental Technology

The Diploma in Dental Technology is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in the design, fabrication and repair of dental prosthetics and orthodontic appliances. Offered at Mount Kenya University, the programme prepares students for careers as dental technologists in dental laboratories, hospitals and dental clinics.

The curriculum covers dental anatomy and physiology, dental materials, prosthodontic technology, orthodontic technology, crown and bridge technology, complete denture construction, partial denture design, dental ceramics, oral pathology, dental radiography, infection control, dental laboratory management, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both technical and clinical support skills.

Kenya's oral health sector is growing, with increasing demand for dental prosthetics and orthodontic services. The programme responds to the need for trained dental technologists who can fabricate dentures, crowns, bridges, braces and other dental appliances to support dentists and oral health practitioners.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical demonstrations, case studies, projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in dental laboratory techniques including waxing, casting, firing ceramics and bending wires through laboratory sessions and attachment at dental laboratories, hospitals or dental clinics.

Graduates pursue careers as dental technologists, dental laboratory technicians, prosthodontic technicians and orthodontic technicians in dental laboratories, hospitals, dental clinics and dental supply companies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have manual dexterity, attention to detail and an interest in oral health. The programme is suitable for students seeking technical careers in dental technology and oral health support services.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 122,200
Private, up to: Ksh 148,650
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Dental Anatomy and Physiology
Dental Materials and Prosthodontic Technology
Orthodontic Technology and Crown and Bridge Construction
Complete and Partial Denture Construction
Dental Ceramics and Oral Pathology
Dental Radiography and Infection Control
Dental Laboratory Management and Entrepreneurship
Communication Skills and ICT

Modules

8 in the programme

Dental Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tooth morphology, dental anatomy, oral physiology, head and neck anatomy, occlusion and the structure and function of oral tissues.
Dental Materials and Prosthodontic Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers dental materials properties, gypsum products, waxes, impression materials, polymers, metals and ceramics, and prosthodontic technology fundamentals.
Complete Denture Construction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers complete denture design, impression techniques, jaw relation records, teeth arrangement, waxing, processing, finishing and polishing of complete dentures.
Partial Denture Design and Orthodontic Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers partial denture design, clasps, connectors, orthodontic appliances, wire bending, removable and fixed orthodontic appliance fabrication.
Crown and Bridge Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crown and bridge fabrication, die preparation, waxing, casting, porcelain application, metal-ceramic restorations and cementation procedures.
Dental Ceramics and Oral Pathology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers dental ceramics, porcelain firing, ceramic staining and glazing, oral pathology, dental caries, periodontal disease and oral lesions.
Dental Radiography and Infection Control
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers dental radiography techniques, radiation safety, image processing, infection control protocols, sterilisation and laboratory hygiene.
Dental Laboratory Management and Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Covers dental laboratory management, entrepreneurship, communication skills, ICT and a three-month industrial attachment at a dental laboratory, hospital or dental clinic.

Specialisations

Prosthodontics
Focuses on complete and partial denture construction for careers as prosthodontic technicians.
Crown and Bridge
Specialises in crown and bridge fabrication and ceramic restorations for careers in dental laboratories.
Orthodontics
Focuses on orthodontic appliance fabrication for careers as orthodontic technicians.
Dental Ceramics
Specialises in dental ceramics, porcelain restorations and aesthetic dentistry support.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on dental anatomy or dental materials, followed by a laboratory session on denture construction or crown fabrication. Afternoon sessions may include a practical on dental ceramics, a demonstration on orthodontic wire bending, or a group exercise on dental laboratory management. Students also work on dental technology projects and case studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for dental technologists in Kenya's expanding oral health sector.
The programme combines theoretical knowledge with extensive laboratory practicals and industrial attachment.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology through upgrading.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
The work is detail-oriented and requires good manual dexterity and patience.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public121k to 122k

121k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) self-sponsored122k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Year 1 self-sponsored

Private149k to 149k

149k at Mount Kenya University149k at Mount Kenya University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KMTC 121K self-spon (educationnewshub). MKU 149K/yr (kenyaeducationguide).

Students can access HELB loans. MKU offers scholarships and bursaries for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Certificate in Dental Technology or related field from a recognised institution.

English or Kiswahili
C
Chemistry or Biology
C
Mathematics or Physics or Physical Sciences
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-trimester and end-of-trimester written tests covering dental anatomy, materials and prosthodontic technology.
Laboratory Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions including denture construction, crown fabrication and orthodontic appliance fabrication.
Dental Technology Project
Project50% of the mark
A practical project on a dental technology topic, assessed through a fabricated appliance and report.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a dental laboratory, hospital or dental clinic.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and approved by the Kenya Dental Technologists Association (KDTA) and the Oral Health Association of Kenya. The programme is offered at Mount Kenya University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and approved by the Kenya Dental Technologists Association (KDTA) and the Oral Health Association of Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Dental Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Designs, fabricates and repairs dental prosthetics including dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances in dental laboratories.
Prosthodontic Technician
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 130,000
Specialises in fabricating complete and partial dentures, crowns and bridges for dental clinics and hospitals.
Orthodontic Technician
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Fabricates orthodontic appliances including braces, retainers and space maintainers for orthodontic practices.
Dental Laboratory Technician
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 110,000
Works in dental laboratories fabricating a range of dental appliances, maintaining equipment and managing laboratory operations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as dental technologists, prosthodontic technicians and orthodontic technicians in dental laboratories, hospitals and dental clinics.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Dental technology is the same as dentistry.
Dental technologists fabricate dental prosthetics and appliances in a laboratory, while dentists diagnose and treat patients directly.
Dental technology has limited career opportunities.
There is growing demand for dental technologists in hospitals, dental clinics, dental laboratories and dental supply companies across Kenya.
You need to be a doctor to study dental technology.
The diploma is open to students with a KCSE mean grade of C and relevant subject passes, with no prior medical training required.
Dental technology is only about making dentures.
The programme covers a wide range of dental appliances including crowns, bridges, braces, ceramic restorations and maxillofacial prosthetics.