Dental therapist

Dental therapists are key members of a dental healthcare team, treating patients and promoting good oral health

As a dental therapist you may see patients after they've been examined by a dentist, or you may treat patients under direct access and then appropriately refer them to other members of the team or other healthcare professionals.

Key areas of work include:

• examination of the patient
• delivery of oral health and general health education
• taking dental impressions
• scaling and polishing - now known as professional mechanical plaque removal - cleaning of teeth above and below the gumline
• taking x-rays
• extracting primary teeth in children
• carrying out direct restorations on both primary and secondary (permanent adult) teeth
• placing temporary dressings and re-cementing crowns with temporary cement
• undertake pulpotomies on primary teeth
• placing pre-formed crowns on primary teeth.

You may also offer additional services such as teeth whitening, under a dentist's prescription.

You can work as part of the dental healthcare team and will treat both adults and children. You can work in a variety of settings, including:

• the NHS
• independent general practice
• specialist periodontal or orthodontic practices
• education
• research
• community services.

Most universities deliver combined dental hygiene and dental therapy courses as the role of hygienist has now become part of what a dental therapist does. Find out more about being a dental hygienist.

Responsibilities

As a dental therapist, you'll need to:

• obtain and evaluate a patient's dental history
• carry out clinical examinations (within your area of competence)
• create a treatment plan (within your area of competence) to ensure appropriate care for patients
• perform routine treatments
• perform professional mechanical plaque removal (previously known as scaling and polishing)
• treat and restore deciduous teeth known as pulp therapy
• extract primary teeth (children)
• provide care of implants and treatment of peri-implant tissues
• take dental impressions and dental x-rays
• recognise, identify and interpret abnormalities and common pathology
• remove plaque and other coatings from teeth
• apply topical treatments (directly onto the teeth or gums) and fissure sealants
• help to put patients who may be extremely anxious about treatment at ease
• motivate and educate individuals or groups to care for their oral hygiene and eat a healthy diet
• provide advice on how to stop smoking
• carry out oral cancer screening
• refer patients where necessary to other healthcare professionals
• keep accurate patient records that include their dental history and dental treatment plan.

Salary

• Starting salaries for dental therapists working in the NHS typically range from £31,049 to £46,580 (Band 5 or 6 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales).
• Experienced dental therapists working as clinicians can expect to earn between £47,810 and £54,710 (Band 7).
• Salaries for dental therapists working in private or community practice can vary significantly. You may be in a salaried role, paid an hourly rate or a percentage. If you're employed, salaries typically range from around £30,000 to over £60,000 depending on your skills, experience and location. Hourly rates can range from around £25.00 to more than £50.00.

Salaries can vary widely depending on a range of factors, including your location, experience and skills, type of employer (i.e., private or NHS) and whether you're employed or self-employed.

Income figures are intended as a guide only

Working hours

In private and NHS dental practices, you'll typically work around 37.5 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday. Some practices may require occasional evening or Saturday morning work.

Jobs in hospitals may involve shift work. On-call duties are rare for dental therapists.

Flexibility is often required for community dental therapist work, as you'll travel between clinics, schools or care homes, for example.

Part-time, temporary and flexible roles are available.

What to expect

• You'll work as part of a dental healthcare team, which may include dentists, dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental technicians.
• Jobs are available across the UK in NHS and private practices, hospitals and community settings. With experience, self-employment or setting up an independent practice may be possible.
• You'll wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and protective eyewear to minimise the risk of infection.
• The role can be physically demanding, with potential for eye strain or musculoskeletal fatigue due to repetitive tasks and prolonged periods of concentration.
• Community-based roles may involve travel between clinics schools or care homes. There are some opportunities for experienced dental therapists to work overseas.

Qualifications

To work as a dental therapist, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). To do this, you need to successfully complete a GDC-approved degree. You must also hold professional indemnity insurance.

Degree courses typically last three years full time. Course titles vary and include oral health science, dental therapy, or dental hygiene and therapy. Most institutions, however, now deliver a combined dental hygiene and therapy course.

You'll typically need three A-levels, including biology, and five or six GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including maths, English and science. Some institutions may accept a recognised qualification in dental nursing in lieu of one A-level subject (but not biology).

The University of Sheffield offers a Higher Education Diploma Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, which lasts 24 months full time. Check their website for entry requirements.

Entry criteria vary between courses so check with individual providers for exact requirements, as well as for information on fees and funding opportunities. A list of GDC-approved courses is available from the British Association of Dental Therapists.

You will also need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before admission to a training programme in England and Wales (or equivalent check for Scotland). You may also have to undergo a health screening.

Eligible students on dental therapy courses in England (level 5 and 6) can receive a training grant of £5,000 towards the cost of studying. Further support may be available depending on your personal circumstances. For full details, see the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Details of financial support for students studying in Scotland and Wales are available from:

• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
• Student Awards Services (Wales)

Skills

As a dental therapist you'll need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with patients in a calm and reassuring manner and to advise them on how to look after their teeth and gums
• effective listening and motivational skills to support patients in maintaining good oral hygiene and making healthy lifestyle choices
• a high level of manual dexterity and confidence in using dental tools and equipment
• the ability to work well in a team as well as independently
• an interest in educating and supporting people to care for their oral health
• good vision and steady hands for carrying out precision work
• the ability to focus and concentrate for extended periods
• attention to detail
• basic IT literacy and the ability to maintain accurate and confidential patient records
• critical thinking and problem-solving skills for assessing oral health and treatment planning
• empathy, sensitivity and a patient-centred approach to care
• a friendly, confident and professional manner when interacting with patients and colleagues.

Work experience

To gain a place on a dental therapy training course, you're expected to show a clear understanding of the profession and explain your motivation for choosing this career.

You can do this by work shadowing a dental therapist in a general dental practice or by speaking to dental care professionals to gain insight into the role.

Relevant experience in a healthcare setting, especially within a general dental practice, is highly beneficial. Working as a dental nurse, for example, can provide a valuable insight.

Volunteering in settings such as dental practices, hospitals, care homes or hospices can also help you gain experience of working with patients and demonstrate your commitment to healthcare.

Other ways to learn about the profession include reading publications such as The Dentist magazine and British Dental Journal Open, or attending dental careers events or open days.

Dental therapy courses combine academic study with clinical work, so you'll gain practical experience in both hospital and community practice during your studies, preparing you for employment after graduation.

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

Employers

Dental therapists are employed by:

• general dental practices - the number of full and part-time dental therapists employed in general dental practices providing NHS or private treatment to patients is growing as the need to provide oral healthcare and treatment to younger and older patients has increased
• dental hospitals - you can start your first job as a dental therapist in the NHS or in a private hospital, helping orthodontists during complex treatments and surgery
• community dental practices, including schools and care homes - working in a clinical or educational role to ensure that everyone has access to dental care
• specialist periodontal or orthodontic practices
• education/research establishments - conducting research and delivering teaching at a dental hospital
• HM Prison Service
• defence dental services - at locations in the UK or overseas with the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

After gaining some experience you could set up and manage your own private independent practice.

There may also be some opportunities for experienced dental therapists to work overseas. Check the country you're interested in to find out whether they accept UK dental therapy qualifications.

Look for job vacancies at:

• BDJ Jobs
• British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) - available to members only
• British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) - available to members only
• NHS Jobs and NHSScotland Jobs

Specialist recruitment agencies such as DentalEliteÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýZest Dental Recruitment also advertise full and part-time vacancies.

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

Professional development

Once you've successfully completed your training, you can apply for the optional Dental Therapists Foundation Training (DTFT) scheme, where available. This programme supports newly qualified dental therapists in their transition into the workplace, offering tailored clinical and educational support to further develop your skills, confidence and competence. It's typically two-to-three days a week, with one training day per month.

To maintain your registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), you must undertake continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. Dental therapists are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours of verifiable CPD across a five-year cycle, with at least 10 hours done in every two-period. Find out more at GDC - CPD for dental professionals.

CPD activities may include:

• attending or presenting at conferences
• participating in clinical audit, case-based discussion or peer review
• attending courses, workshops and seminars
• getting involved in the work of professional bodies.

The BADT and BSDHT offer a wide range of CPD events, including annual conferences, webinars and study days. They also provide access to professional advice, resources and networking opportunities.

There are also opportunities to advance your knowledge or specialise by undertaking further study at Postgraduate Diploma, Masters or PhD level. Areas of further study and training can include orthodontic therapy, dental public health or education and leadership.

Search for postgraduate dental courses.Ìý

Career prospects

Career prospects are generally good for dental therapists, with opportunities to build on your interests and clinical experience. With further training, for example, you could take on extra responsibilities such as:

• carrying out tooth whitening to the prescription of a dentist
• administering inhalation sedation
• removing sutures from a wound after it's been checked by a dentist.

Some experienced therapists move into teaching, training or research roles within dental schools or universities, often after undertaking further qualifications in education.

Some experienced dental therapists may work in independent dental practices or as part of direct access arrangements, where patients can see a dental therapist without a dentist referral, provided the therapist is appropriately trained and indemnified and works within their scope of practice.

If you're interested in becoming a dentist, you may be able to apply for a graduate-entry dentistry degree. Some universities offer accelerated four-year programmes for graduates with a 2:1 or higher in a relevant subject (usually with a strong biology or chemistry component). Entry requirements vary, so check with individual course providers.

Other related areas you could move into with further training include:

• orthodontic therapy
• dental public health
• health improvement and promotion roles within the NHS or public sector.