Dental technician

A dental technician, also known as a dental technologist, is responsible for constructing and repairing a variety of dental devices

As a dental technician you'll work to the prescription of a dentist to make, modify or repair bridges, crowns, dentures, braces and other orthodontic devices for individual patients.

It's likely that you'll specialise in one of the following areas:

• fixed prosthesis - such as implants, crowns and bridges that can be cemented into place
• orthodontics - devices such as braces to straighten teeth and mouth guards
• removable prosthesis - such as dentures and removable partial dentures
• maxillofacial appliances - for patients who, through an accident or disease, have lost part of their face or jaw. Jobs are available in specialised hospital units, but entry opportunities are limited.

You'll work with a range of materials such as plastic, porcelain, wax and metals (including gold and stainless steel) and will need skills in areas such as:

• modelling
• sculpting
• polishing
• plastic-forming
• wire bending
• ceramic work
• casting.

You may also be known as a dental technologist.

Responsibilities

As a dental technician, you'll need to:

• construct accurate models of the patient's mouth and teeth from dental impressions or digital scans provided by dentists
• design and make partial or full dentures (metal and non-metal) to replace missing teeth
• carry out all aspects of prosthetic work, including making bite registrations, wax try-ins, castings and mouth guards
• create fixed restorations such as crowns, bridges, veneers and inlays using materials like ceramics and composites
• manufacture dental implants or components as prescribed by dentists
• produce orthodontic appliances such as braces, retainers and aligners to correct dental irregularities
• fabricate maxillofacial prostheses to replace missing facial or oral structures due to trauma, disease or congenital conditions (in specialist settings)
• use both traditional techniques and digital technologies, including CAD/CAM, 3D printing and milling systems, to design and produce dental devices
• maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure compliance with health, safety and infection control regulations
• keep up to date by undertaking continuing professional development (CPD), attending training, reading professional literature and joining relevant professional bodies
• mentor and support trainee or junior dental technicians, where applicable.

Salary

• Salaries for newly qualified dental technicians in the private sector typically range from around £22,000 to £28,000. With experience, this can rise to around £45,000.
• Salaries for dental technician managers and those with a specialism can rise to more than £60,000.
• Within the NHS, starting salaries are usually between £31,049 and £33,487 (Band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay rates). Specialist technicians and those with management responsibilities can earn between £38,682 and £46,580 (Band 6). Salaries for some highly specialist roles are at Band 7, ranging from £47,810 to £54,710.

Salaries for self-employed dental technicians vary depending on their skills, experience and success at building up a business and client base.

Salaries vary and are based on your employer, qualifications, specialisms, experience and whether you work for the NHS, a private commercial laboratory or run your own business.

Income data from VK Recruitment. Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work 37.5 to 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, usually during standard office hours.

Some roles may involve occasional evening or weekend work, especially in commercial laboratories or private practice settings with fast turnaround times.

Short-term contracts and part-time work may be an option with some employers. If you're self-employed, your hours will vary based on client demand and business needs.

What to expect

• You're most likely to be based in a dental laboratory, or in a laboratory in a general dentist practice or a hospital.
• If you work for a hospital, you'll usually be attached to the maxillofacial department, which works on reconstructing damaged faces due to accidents, burns or diseases. You may also be involved in making other prostheses such as eyes, ears and noses.
• Working in a laboratory involves time spent working alone and as part of a team. You won't generally have contact with patients themselves, unless you're working in a hospital, as you'll work to the prescription of a dentist. In a hospital, you'll have direct contact with dental and oral surgeons.
• While a lot of your work will be done by hand to fine-tune each dental piece to exact individual specifications, computer-aided design is increasingly being used in commercial dental laboratories. Wearing protective clothing is essential when working with specialised equipment in the laboratory.
• Job security and conditions vary but are generally good, especially if working for the NHS.

Qualifications

To work as a dental technician, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). To get onto the register, you have to complete a GDC-approved qualification in dental technology.

Many dental technicians start out as trainees, working in a commercial dental laboratory, dental hospital or dental practice, combining on-the-job training with part-time study.

Courses are available at the following levels:

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Technology (awarded by Pearson) -  you'll typically need two or more GCSEs at grade 4/C or higher or equivalent (now closed to new registrants).
• Foundation degree in dental technology (Level 5) -  entry requirements typically include five GCSEs (grade 4/C or above), including English, maths and a science, plus one A-level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification). 
• BSc (Hons) in dental technology (Level 6) - you'll usually need five GCSEs (grade 4/C or above), including maths, English and a science, and three A-levels, including one in a science, for entry.

Degree courses are three years, full time at a university or dental school. The BTEC and foundation degree can also be done on a full-time basis, or they can be completed part time while working as a trainee dental technician in a dental laboratory.

Alternatively, you can qualify as a dental technician by undertaking a Level 5 dental technician apprenticeship (England), which combines paid work with part-time study for a foundation degree.

Check entry requirements with course providers as some may accept alternative qualifications. See GDC - Dental technology programmes and qualifications.

You may also be required to undertake a manual dexterity test as part of the application process.

For advanced or specialist dental technology work, you'll usually need a degree or postgraduate degree-level qualification.

Find out more about dental technician education and training from the Dental Technologists Association.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• the ability to carry out fine, precise work
• attention to detail and the ability to concentrate for extended periods
• a good eye for shape, colour and design to replicate natural teeth and gums
• competence in using digital design software (e.g. CAD/CAM) and associated technology
• the ability to assess the quality and accuracy of your work
• good problem-solving, critical thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, dentists and other healthcare professionals
• teamworking skills and a collaborative approach
• the ability to manage workloads and meet deadlines under pressure
• an understanding of cross-infection control and health and safety procedures in a laboratory setting.

You'll also need good eyesight and normal colour vision when making crowns and bridges, for example, to ensure an accurate colour match.

Work experience

Dental technology is a science-based profession that requires strong analytical and practical skills. Getting some work experience in a dental laboratory, hospital dental unit or dental practice can strengthen your application for a training course or apprenticeship. Observing a registered dental technician or shadowing in a lab will also demonstrate your interest in the profession.

Work experience is particularly valuable for those applying to full-time study routes, as you'll be competing with candidates who may already have hands-on experience through work-based training. Any experience in a healthcare environment that builds your communication, attention to detail and time management skills will also help support your application.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Most dental technicians work for commercial dental laboratories, which vary in size from small independent labs to large-scale operations. These laboratories carry out work based on prescriptions from dentists, producing, repairing and modifying a range of dental appliances such as crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontic devices. You may have the opportunity to specialise, particularly in larger laboratories.

It's also possible to work as a specialist technician in a hospital dental department, making maxillofacial and other custom dental appliances for patients requiring reconstructive or surgical care. However, opportunities are limited and may require additional training.

There are also a small number of opportunities with large private dental practices that employ their own dental technicians in-house to carry out work.

Dental technicians may also work in research or teach undergraduate dental students on one of the GDC-approved courses. Once you have enough experience, you may set up and run your own business, particularly if you have specialist expertise.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Dental Technologists Association
• Jobs.ac.uk - for jobs in dental technician education or research at universities.
• NHS Jobs
• NHSScotland Jobs.

Specialist recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. These include:

• Henry Schein Dental Recruitment
• VK Recruitment

Vacancies are also advertised on general recruitment websites and employers' own websites, as well as on LinkedIn.

Professional development

Once qualified, you must undertake continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain your GDC registration. Dental technicians must complete at least 50 hours of verifiable CPD over a five-year period.

CPD activities may include attending courses, workshops, seminars and conferences run by recognised providers. Relevant professional bodies include:

• Dental Technologists Association (DTA)
• Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists & Technologists
• Orthodontic Technicians Association (OTA)

Membership provides access to a range of CPD, networking opportunities and professional support.

Larger laboratories and hospitals may run in-house training. You can also get actively involved with a professional body, write journal articles or undertake further study, such as a Masters degree. Always ensure CPD activities meet GDC requirements.

Search postgraduate courses in dental technology.

With further training, you could become a clinical dental technologist (CDT), designing, making and fitting removable dentures. Search GDC-approved CDT training courses.

You could also progress into reconstructive science by completing the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), a three-year work-based programme, with part-time study for a Masters degree.

There are also opportunities to take courses in leadership and management.

Career prospects

Working in a large commercial dental laboratory may offer opportunities to specialise in areas such as prosthetics, ceramics, orthodontics or implants. In smaller labs, progression can be limited, so you may need to move employers to advance.

With experience, you could become a senior or lead dental technician, manage a team or move into a laboratory manager role. With significant experience, you could even choose to set up your own laboratory or work on a self-employed basis.

In the NHS, career progression follows a structured pay scale. With further training and experience, you could move into senior, specialist or chief dental technician roles, particularly in hospital-based settings such as maxillofacial units.

To move into more advanced or specialist areas of dental technology, such as maxillofacial prosthetics, orthodontics, implants or prosthodontics, you'll typically need further undergraduate or postgraduate training.

Other career paths include roles in dental product sales, quality control, teaching or research and development, especially within dental schools or in industry settings.