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Dental therapist

Alternative titles for this job include

Dental therapists provide a range of dental services to adults and children, like x-rays, tooth impressions, scaling and polishing.

Average salary (a year)

£31,000 Starter

to

£55,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 42 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm on a rota

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
  • working towards this role

University

You'll need to complete a higher education diploma or degree approved by the General Dental Council. 

Subjects include:

  • dental therapy
  • oral health science
  • dental hygiene and dental therapy

When you apply for a university course, it might help to have some experience in a dental or healthcare setting, for example, shadowing a dental therapist or a dental hygienist.

You might be able to get extra support with student finance, as a dental student, through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

If you're a qualified dental hygienist or dental nurse, you might be able to do a part-time training course with a dental school to become a dental therapist.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a dental therapist from the British Association of Dental Therapists and Health Careers.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

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 therapist, you would work closely with a dental team. 

You could:

  • do tests to assess a patient's oral health, and chart and monitor gum disease
  • take dental x-rays
  • remove plaque and tartar from teeth and polish them
  • apply sealants and fluorides to help prevent tooth decay
  • extract baby teeth, and add crowns and fillings for clients under certain circumstances
  • provide care for implant sites
  • advise patients on treatment plans and how to care for their teeth and gums

Working environment

You could work at a dental practice, in an NHS or private hospital, at a school or in the community.

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:

  • move into dental practice management
  • become self employed and set up your own practice
  • work in dental teaching, training or research
  • join a commercial company that makes dental products and equipment
  • complete a dental degree to qualify as a dentist

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 therapist 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

Are you interested in becoming a dental therapist?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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