Dental therapist

You'll need a degree or diploma in dental therapy approved by the General Dental Council.

You'll also need relevant work experience shadowing a dental therapist or hygienist.

Some dental schools offer part-time courses for qualified dental hygienists and dental nurses wishing to become dental therapists.

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could work towards this role by starting with an advanced apprenticeship as a dental nurse.

After a few years' experience you could study a degree or diploma whilst working.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Registration

• you'll need to register with the General Dental Council

Career tips

As well as a Student Loan, you may be able to get support through the NHS Learning Support Fund, that can help with costs for travel, childcare and hardship.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Association of Dental Hygiene and Therapy to get access to professional development training.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a dental therapist from Health Careers.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

In your day-to-day duties you might:

• remove plaque and other tooth coatings
• apply antibacterial and de-sensitising agents
• polish and whiten teeth
• apply sealants and fluorides to teeth to help prevent decay
• take x-rays
• replace temporary fillings and crowns
• carry out simple fillings
• extract deciduous (milk) teeth
• give certain types of local anaesthetic

You could work at a dental practice or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear protective clothing.