• +238037048093
  • registrar@bscht.edu.ng
  • Otuogidi, Ogbia, Bayelsa State

 

  WELCOME TO DENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE

STUDENT HANDBOOK/CURRICULUM FOR DENTAL SURGERY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMME UNDER PURVIEW OF DENTAL THERAPIST REGISTRATION BOARD OF NIGERIA.

 The dental therapists’ registration board of Nigeria is a parastatal of federal ministry of health established by Decree 81 of 25th August, 1993 embodied in cap D7 of the laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

 

     

    The board was established to perform some specified functions amongst which are as follows:-

  1. To register and issue renewable licences to dental therapists and dental surgery technicians.
  2. To determine the standard body of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the professions of the board and monition the training from time to time as circumstances may permit.
  3. To conduct professional examinations and award certicates to successful candidates.
  4. To publish the list of registered and licenced members of the board and approved health training institution under the regulation of the board.
  5. To organize continuing development programs in order to keep our members abreast of the latest development in dentistry
  6. To induct the newly registered members of the profession into the family of the board.
  7. To monitor and inspect the professional practices of members.

VISION OF THE BOARD

Improving and maintaining excellence in the practice of all professions under board

MISSION OF THE BOARD

To regulate the practice of its professionals in the most efficient and effective manner that upholds and protects the best oral health care delivery system in the country.

DUTIES OF DENTAL SURGERY TECHNICIANS

Informing the dental surgeon about the patient whose oral health status indicates the need for diagnoses and management

Sterilization of instruments

Assisting the dental surgeon in the theatre and dental surgeries/clinics

Assisting dental surgeon in community dental care programme.

To give post- operative instructions

To help develop already taken X-rays

Book patients for appointment

Preparing dental materials for dental procedures

Keeping adequate records of patients, drugs, instruments and equipment.

 

PREFACE

The Dental surgery technician progamme in department of Dental Health Sciences is indeed one of great discipline with respect and repute, not just because of its standard of excellence but also due to its direct affiliation with care of patients having dental-related ailments and conditions.

This information handbook will be looking into the various aspects involving admission, training programme as well as employment prospects of the Dental surgery Technician who is being trained in the department.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I deeply thank all those who contributed greatly to the development of this student information handbook.

My unreserved appreciation goes to our amiable and dynamic Provost: Dr Timipa Richard Ogoun for his wonderful mentorship in administration and academics.

Many thanks also to all department staff whose contributions to the formulation of the students handbook of the department of Dental Health Sciences cannot be underestimated.

My profound gratitude also goes to the an industrious Registrar, Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria, Mrs. M. Ojo and the board members for their immense contribution to the Development of Dental Surgery Technician programme curriculum, hence, the formation of this students handbook of department of the Dental Health Sciences.

Dr. E, I Ugwoke
Head of Department
Department of Dental Health Sciences

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT
  • INTRODUCTION
  • AIM
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • OBJECTIVES
  • PROGRAMME GOALS
  • ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
  • TRANSFERS
  • INDEXING
  • PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
  • DRESS CODE
  • CONDITIONS GOVERNING EXAMINATIONS
  • GUIDELINES ON SIWES PROGRAMME
  • CONDITION FOR THE AWARDS OF National Diploma DENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN/ DENTAL NURSING
  • GRADES AND VERTICAL PROGRESSION IN THE CADRE
  • EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
  • CAREER PATHWAY
  • TEACHING STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT
  • COURSE LIST IN THE DEPARTMENT

HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Bayelsa State College of Health Technology was established by law by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and was signed into law by the then Governor of Bayelsa state in person of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the 6th of January, 2005.

Without much ado, the school of Dental Health Sciences was founded with a proposal of three programmes to be run by this school. The programmes included. Viz:

  • Dental Surgery Technician
  • Dental Technology
  • Dental Therapy

The school however kicked-off with only the Dental Surgery Technician programme. At the point when the programme took off, Dr (Mrs.) D. Opukiri was appointed as the pioneer Director of the School of Dental Health Sciences and her tenure lasted till 2007 when she was appointed as the permanent secretary of the Bayelsa state Ministry of Information. Her departure ushered in Dr B.E. Agbedi as the new Director of the School of Dental Health Sciences in 2007 and Mr. OrugbaniIkadoi as the Head of Department for the Dental Surgery Technician programme. Their tenures lasted through till December 2010 when the College Academic Board under the leadership of the Provost of the College Dr T.C. Adias decided to restructure both the workforce and the infrastructure on ground which gave rise to the merger of 4 schools: School of Dental Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Information Technology and School of Pharm. Tech. Studies with the emergence of our new school designated as The School of Allied Medical Sciences with the schools forming it now assuming the status of departments and thus we became the Department of Dental Health Sciences.

Consequent to that, Dr B.E. Agbedi was appointed as the Head of Department to run the affairs of the department from January 2011. His tenure lasted till June 2011 when he was transferred out of the College to accomplish other tasks in the state.

Dr B.C. Ephraim-Emmanuel was however appointed as the Head of Department, Department of Dental Health Sciences in July 2011. Later, Dr. Innocent Ugwoke was appointed as the head of department which lasted for few month before administration of the then, new provost, Dr. Asara A. Azibalua. Mr Baraka Bodeiwari was appointed the acting Head of the department. Currently, Dr. E. I. Ugwoke is the head of department, dental health sciences and Mr Ebutu, Alisebh, as the coordinator the dental surgery technician programme.

INTRODUCTION

In Nigeria, there is becoming a greater need to prepare a cadre of professional category who through comprehensive education in basic oral health, general and oral healthcare at a level that will enable them to mobilize families, individuals and the community for optimal achievement of oral health. Over the years, the dental profession in most of the developing countries has been giving the education of the dentist greater priority over that of Professionals Complementary to Dentistry (PCDs), including Dental surgery Technicians.

The Dentist population in Nigeria is 1; 38,000 (2018). This ratio is very low and indicates the need for availability of competent Dental surgery Technicians at every level of oral health care.

A Dental Health Technician is a person who has successfully completed a 3-year course of instruction, duly registered and licensed by the Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria to practice.

AIM

The aim of the Dental surgery Technician programme is to produce competent dental health personnel who will be capable of assisting the Dentist by passing instruments, sterilizing instruments, setting up instruments, mixing dental materials as well as providing oral health assistance in hospitals, communities and clinics.

PHILOSOPHY

The curriculum is based on the philosophy that the Dental surgery Technician is an essential personnel in a profession in the health care delivery system that calls for individuals of high intelligence, industry and responsibility. The programme is therefore structured with foundation in basic oral health sciences..

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the programme, the student should be able to:

  1. Apply the knowledge of basic and behavioural sciences to assist the Dental clinic.
  2. Utilize oral health care process to assist in the dental clinic.
  3. Promote acquisition of skills and attitudes that will enable them to effectively assist in the dental clinic.
  4. Apply acquired knowledge to care for unconscious patients on the dental chair.

PROGRAMME GOALS

National Diploma (ND): The National Diploma programme in Dental surgery Technicians is designed to produce Dental Health Technicians who will be capable of:

  1. Registration and baseline measurements of patients (vital signs).
  2. Taking and processing of dental radiographs.
  • Assisting in effective use of material resources towards provision of optimal oral nursing care.
  1. Teaching and guiding DST students in training.
  2. Pro and post-operative care of dental patients.
  3. Cleaning and sterilizing of instruments.
  • Being at the chair side during all treatments and operations.
  • Reception of patients.
  1. Making appointments according to appointment plan.
  2. Receiving, recording and banking of all financial transactions if need be.
  3. Store keeping and ordering supplies.
  • Answering phone calls from clients who may need some information about the dental clinic

METHODS OF ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Candidate who wishes to enter for full time training must be at least 17 years of age and have a natural attitude for this type of work. All mature students must satisfy the normal entry requirement which is stated below:

  1. By direct entry of a candidate possessing the following equivalent qualification.
  2. Five credits in WASC SSCE, NECO or its equivalent including English, Mathematics (COMPUSARY), Biology or Health science, Physics or Chemistry AND any of the science subjects at not more than two sittings are o undergo the three years programme.
  3. All qualified Dental Surgery Assistant (DSA) are to undergo a year upgrading course organized by the Education and Training Advisory Board.

TRANSFER FROM OTHER DENTAL TRANING INSTITUTIONS

Transfer of students into 200 level of dental surgery technicians course are allowed if the academic transcript and evidence of indexing from the Board are forwarded and aso attached to the national Board examination Registration Form. Students in year Three are allowed to transfer on exceptional cases.

INDEXING

All newly admitted students must be registered and indexed with the Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria at the beginning of the programme.

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The training shall be a six (6) semester programme (2 semesters per year) and the certificate shall be designated Diploma Dental surgery Technician (DST) on completion of third year.

The first year shall be devoted to the basic medical and dental sciences. The courses in the first and second semesters of the second year of the programme shall be for integrated form of general aspects of medical and dental assisting. Courses in the third year shall be clinical dentistry and behavioural sciences and research methodology course. The course will be divided into theory and practical. The methods of teaching shall include:

  1. Lecture
  2. Chairside/Bedside teaching
  3. Practical Demonstration
  4. Group Discussion
  5. Project
  6. Clinical Round
  7. Field Trip
  8. Individual project
  9. Patient/Client Care study
  10. Tutorial

Before sitting for the final qualifying examination, the dental surgery technician students shall be required to have written and submitted group/ individual project.

DRESS CODE

The uniform for student trainee is designed with a specific pattern and model with the dental profession  in mind which is approved by college management to be worn by the student trainees in all institutions where the Dental Surgery Technician programmes are being offered all over the federation.

The uniform comprises:

FEMALE

  • A white gown with a brown waist belt
  • A white head gear with brown stripes indicating their levels.
  • Pair of brown cover shoes.

MALE

  • A white turtle-neck side-down shirt worn over a pair of white trousers.
  • The front pocket of the shirt will have brown stripes over it indicating the level of the student.
  • A pair of brown shoes

CONDITIONS GOVERNING EXAMINATIONS

  • SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS

Examinations will be conducted at the end of the 1st and 2nd semesters of each session.

Examinations would be assessed as 70% and continuous assessment as 30%.

For any student to be qualified for any internal examination, the student is expected to have paid all necessary fees as well as made up to 75% overall class attendance compulsorily.

ACHIEVEMENT GRADE FOR SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS

The pass mark for all examinations shall be 40%. The achievement grade shall be interpreted as follows:

A= 70% – 100%

B= 60% – 69%

C= 50% – 59%

D= 45% – 49%

E= 40% – 44%

F= 39% and below

A STUDENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPEAT A CLASS IF HE/SHE HAS A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE (CGPA) OF LESS THAN ONE (1.00) AND/OR FAILS 50% OF REGISTERED COURSES AT THE END OF EACH ACADEMIC SESSION.

A STUDENT HAVING A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE (CGPA) OF LESS THAN ONE (1.00) OR FAILING MORE THAN 50% OF REGISTERED COURSES AT THE END OF THE ACADEMIC SESSION AFTER BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPEAT A CLASS SHALL BE ASKED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PROGRAMME DUE TO ACADEMIC FAILURE.

ANY STUDENT WHO IS NOT ON CLEAR STANDING AT THE END OF YEAR THREE [YR 3] SECOND SEMESTER CANNOT PROCCEDD FOR THE NATIONAL BOARD PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS. AND WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RE-REGISTER  THE FAILED COURSE(S)  UPTO A MINIMUM OF 10 CREDIT UNITS OF COURSE WORK (WHICH WOULD BE GOTTEN FROM COURSES OFFERED IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE SCHOOL OF ALLIED MEDICAL SCIENCES) IN EACH SEMESTER OF THE NEXT ACADEMIC SESSION. 

  • NATIONAL  PROFESSIONAL BOARD EXAMINATIONS

Board examinations come up at the end of the 3rd year of the programme. This qualifies the student to sit for the board examinations.

Students must be on clear standing (i.e. must have passed all internal semester examinations of the College) before he/she can be eligible to register for the State and National PROFESSIONAL BOARD examinations. 

NOTE: Any student who fails the board examinations is required to re-register the failed paper or papers during the next examination or makeup board examination as the case may be.

GUIDELINES ON Supervised Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) PROGRAMME

As one of the conditions for the award of National Diploma (ND) Dental Surgery Technician, each student is to participate in the Supervised Industrial Work Experience Scheme for a period of seven (7) months sandwich (i.e. taking place during the DST programme).

SIWES involves practical attachment in theatre assisting as well as in various dental procedures. This is to take place in Government centres, Government Dental centres as well as Teaching Hospitals.

  1. EVALUATION OF STUDENTS DURING SIWES

In evaluation of the students during the period, it is noteworthy that the final grading of the student during the period of the industrial attachment would be weighted more on the evaluation by the industry-based supervisor.

In evaluation, the following shall be taken into consideration:

  1. Punctuality to work
  2. Attendance
  • Regularity at work
  1. General attitude to work
  2. Respect for authority
  3. Interest in the field of study
  • Technical competence as a potential technician in his/her field
  • General dressing and neatness
  1. GRADING OF SIWES

To ensure the uniformity of grading scales, the institution shall ensure that the uniform grading of student’s work which has been agreed upon by all polytechnics is adopted. The institution-based supervisor shall initial the log book during each visit. This will enable the department to check and determine to what extent the objectives of the scheme are being met and also to assist students having problems regarding the specific assignments given to them by their industry-based supervisor.

  1. SIWES AS REQUIREMENT FOR EXAMINATION

The completion of SIWES is absolutely important in the determination of whether the student is successful in the DST programme or not. Failure in the SIWES is an indication that the student has not shown sufficient interest in the field of study or has no potential to become a skilled operative in the field.

The SIWES shall be ultimately graded on a fail or pass basis.

Where a student has satisfied all other requirements but failed SIWES, he/she may only be allowed to repeat the posting for its stipulated duration.

CONDITION FOR THE AWARDS OF National Diploma DENTAL SURGERY TECHNICIAN

The appropriate level of National Diploma (ND) will be awarded by the authority of the Academic Board of the Institution.

In general, conditions of award are based on successful completion of the following:

  1. Satisfactory performance evaluation of all prescribed course work which may include class work, tutorials, tests, quizzes, workshops’ practice and surgery practical works in the continuous assessment sectors.
  2. Supervised Industrial Work Experience for seven (7) months sandwich.
  3. Satisfactory performance at all semester examinations.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Employment opportunities following qualification include work areas in the field of Dentistry such as:

  1. Community hospitals
  2. Comprehensive health centres
  3. State Government hospitals
  4. Nigerian Army, Navy, Air force and Police force dental clinics
  5. Dental clinics of oil exploration companies e.g. NNPC, Shell
  6. Mobile Dental clinic services
  7. Health related non-Governmental Organizations
  8. Private dental clinic
  9. Training institution dental clinic.

CAREER PATHWAY

Following qualification, you can advance your career in the dental field by opting for any of the following:

  1. Becoming a certified Dental Surgery technology (DST)[HND]
  2. Becoming a Dental therapist
  3. Becoming a Dentist
  4. Or other dental professionals

TEACHING STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT

The following is the staff list of the department of Dental Health Sciences. Viz:

Dr Benson.C. Ephraim-Emmanuel  –  Lecturer

Dr E. Innocent. Ugwoke          –             Lecturer

Mr Philip Anah                        –               Lecturer

Mr Ebutu Alisebh                    –               Instructor

Mra. Arukolo Onisodumeya.      –          Instructor

Mr Orugbani Benneth Ikadoi N.   –       Technician

Mr w. Benjamin Egbe                          –   Technician

Mrs Regina Alagba      –                            Technician

CERTIFICATION AND LICENCING

Upon successful completion of the entry requirements of the programme, the students shall be indexed by the dental therapists’ registration board of Nigeria. At the completion of the programme, school will award student National Diploma [ND] Certificate while the Board conducts professional examination, inducts the successful candidates, and issues professional certificate and practicing licence.

Staff List

SN Name of Staff Status Area of Specialization
1 Ugwoke Ejiofor Innocent  Academic Dental Surgeon
2 Egbe Woyengidiwerinipire Benjamin Non – Academic Dentist
3 Arukolo Onisodumeya Academic Dental Therapist
4 Ebutu Alisebh Academic Dental Therapist
5 Ephraim-Emmanuel Benson C. Academic Dental Public Health/ Environmental Health
6 Ugwoke Ejiofor Innocent  Academic Dental Surgeon
7 Golden Ebinbonimighe Non – Academic Administrative Officer
8 Orugbani Benneth Ikadoi Academic Health Education
9 Anah Philip Academic Maxillofacial prosthetic and orthodontic
10 Emmanuel Grace Non – Academic Admin Officer