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Dental technician

Alternative titles for this job include Dental technologist, clinical dental technician

Dental technicians create custom-made dentures, dental implants, crowns and bridges for patients. They also repair and adjust dental devices.

Average salary (a year)

£32,000 Starter

to

£48,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in dental technology approved by the General Dental Council.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on a Dental Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take between 2 and 3 years and combines on-the-job training with study.

Once working as a technician, you may be able to do a Clinical Dental Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship. You'll need the support of your employer to do this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a trainee dental technician with a practice and complete technician training part time while working.

This could take up to 5 years depending on how the training is structured.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Dental Technologists Association (DTA) for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can learn more about how to become a dental technician from Health Careers and the Dental Technologists Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of dental science and technology
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • the ability to work well with others
  • concentration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a dental technician, you could:

  • plan work based on dental prescriptions, impressions and scans
  • create templates using computer-aided design software
  • select materials for each job, like metals, porcelain and acrylics
  • make, modify and repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, implants and braces
  • use precision hand tools and 3D printing techniques
  • check the quality of work throughout the manufacturing process
  • make prostheses for patients who have lost part of their jaw through injury or disease

Working environment

You could work in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • become a senior dental technician, leading a small team of colleagues
  • train as a clinical dental technician to do more advanced work and have contact with patients
  • work as a maxillofacial or craniofacial technician, specialising in creating jaw and facial prostheses and working with reconstructive surgeons
  • move into quality management, teaching or research

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a dental technician right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

BTEC Diploma in Dental Technology

  • Provider: SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, THE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: SHEFFIELD

FD Dental Technology Foundation Degree (Level 5)

  • Provider: NOTTINGHAM COLLEGE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Nottingham
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Related careers

Prosthetist and orthotist

Dental therapist

Dental nurse

Clinical scientist

Dental hygienist

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