Home

Dental Therapist

Do you want to become a Dental Therapist? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Dental therapists carry out dental work on a wide range of patients, both adults and children. They also teach patients how to maintain their oral hygiene. Patients are first seen by a dentist, who decides what work is to be done by a dental therapist. This can include:

• examining the mouth, teeth and gums
• scaling and polishing teeth
• applying coatings (eg fluoride) and sealants to teeth to help prevent decay
• taking dental X-rays and giving local anaesthetic
• undertaking routine fillings and extracting deciduous (or milk) teeth
• placing pre-formed crowns on deciduous teeth
• carrying out pulp (nerve) treatment on deciduous teeth
• providing emergency temporary replacement of crowns and fillings
• taking impressions so that false teeth and bridges can be made.

Dental therapists use a range of dental instruments. They are assisted by a dental nurse. Dental therapists also teach people how to care for their teeth, gums and mouths by brushing and flossing. They give advice about diet and other health-related issues.

Full-time dental therapists usually work 37 hours a week Monday to Friday. Dental surgeries are warm, bright, well lit and clean.

Salaries range from £16,389 to over £30,000 a year.

A dental therapist should:

• be good at science and particularly interested in biology
• have a steady hand and good eyesight
• get on well with a wide range of patients, including elderly people, children and
• people with special needs
• enjoy working with people and have a genuine desire to help them.

Dental therapists work throughout the UK in the Hospital Dental Service, the Community Dental Service, general dental practices and the Personal Dental Service. There are 671 dental therapists in the UK, a number that is rapidly growing.

Dental therapists must have a Diploma in Dental Therapy or a combined Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. Entry to the Diploma courses is usually with at least two A levels/three H grades and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). A nationally-recognised dental nursing qualification can be accepted in place of A levels/H grades.

Diploma courses usually last 27 months full time. There is no upper age limit to begin training.

Progression can be to practice manager, to research work or to teaching on dental therapy training courses.

More Useful Resources - Dental Therapist:

Do you know of a useful and relevant website that would be helpful to our users? Tell us about it by emailing