1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Dental therapist

Dental therapist

Dental therapists carry out routine treatments prescribed by a dentist.

Average salary (a year)

£24,214 Starter

to

£37,267 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become a dental therapist

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

University

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

Apprenticeship

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

More information

Registration

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.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

  • removing plaque and other tooth coatings
  • applying antibacterial and de-sensitising agents
  • polishing teeth and tooth whitening
  • applying sealants and fluorides to teeth to help prevent decay
  • taking x-rays
  • replacing temporary fillings and crowns
  • carrying out simple fillings
  • extracting deciduous (milk) teeth
  • giving certain types of local anaesthetic

Working environment

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

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to dental practice manager. Some dental therapists set up their own practice and employ dentists to work with them.

You could also move into a research post or teaching, take further training or go into orthodontic therapy.

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.

JobsIn 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

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No