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Dental therapist
Hours
37 per week
Starting salary
£21,200 + per year
Dental therapists work as part of a team providing clinical and educational support to children and adults in the community. They may also be known as oral health practitioners. If you are interested in science and would like a job in dental health, this job could suit you well.
To be good at this job you should also be genuinely interested in the welfare of your patients. You should be able to gain the trust of a wide range of people. You should have a steady hand and good practical skills.
To get into this job you would need to study for a General Dental Council approved diploma in dental therapy, or a degree in oral health sciences, or dental therapy and dental hygiene.
WorkDesc
The work
As a dental therapist, you would carry out straightforward clinical work, under the direction and written prescription of a dentist. Your duties could include:
- removing plaque and other coatings, such as calculus
- applying antibacterial and de-sensitising agents
- polishing teeth
- tooth whitening
- applying fissure sealants and fluorides
- taking radiographs
- replacing temporary fillings and crowns
- carrying out simple fillings
- extracting deciduous (milk) teeth
- administering certain types of local anaesthetic, unsupervised.
You would use a range of instruments and sometimes have the assistance of a dental nurse.
Your work would also involve health promotion and education, which could include teaching and motivating individuals and groups in the community to maintain good oral hygiene and dental care.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work around 37 hours a week between 9am and 5pm. Part-time work is also possible.
If you are working in the Community Dental Service or carrying out health promotion work, some travel between jobs may be needed, for example between schools and community centres and clinics.
You would work mainly in dental surgeries and clinics, which are clean and well lit. When carrying out treatments, you would usually wear a coat or tunic, surgical gloves, eye protection and a mask to reduce the risk of cross infection.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries for dental therapists can be between £21,200 and £27,500 a year. With experience, this can rise to around £35,000. Advanced practitioners and team managers may earn up to £40,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To qualify, you will need to take a General Dental Council (GDC) approved course, such as:
- a diploma in dental therapy (often combined with a diploma in dental hygiene) or
- a degree in oral health sciences, or dental therapy and dental hygiene.
When you graduate, you need to register with the GDC. The British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) has details of approved dental schools.
To get on to a GDC approved course you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including English, biology or human biology, plus two A levels at C or above (this may also need to include biology). Check with course providers for exact entry details because alternative qualifications (like recognised dental nurse training and experience) may also be accepted.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are on a dental therapy course, you will combine theoretical study with practical, clinical, work-based training. Courses can take between 27 months and three years. You will cover areas such as:
- oral anatomy and physiology
- oral surgery, medicine and pathology
- dental materials
- pain and anxiety control
- restorative dentistry and operative techniques
- dental radiography
- adult and child dental health
- oral health promotion, and the theory and practice of teaching.
You will learn a range of practical skills on the course, initially using manikin heads or models (also known as 'phantom heads'). You will practise on plastic teeth and progress to treating patients when you have reached the necessary standard.
As a student you can join the BADT, which will give you access to job vacancy boards and networking opportunities.
As a qualified therapist, you will need to complete 150 hours of professional development activity every five years in order to remain registered with the GDC. Being a member of an association like the BADT, may help with this.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a dental therapist you should have:
- a genuine interest in the welfare of patients
- the ability to gain the trust of a wide range of people, including children and those with special needs
- good time management
- a keen interest and ability in science
- a steady hand and good practical skills
- the ability to concentrate for long periods of time
- excellent communication skills
- the ability to clearly explain treatments and give instructions
- a friendly and sympathetic approach
- the ability to put anxious patients at ease
- good teamworking skills
- the ability to work independently without supervision.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line 
Tel: 08000 150850
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
British Association of Dental Therapists
8 Salmon Fields Business Village
Royton
Oldham
OL2 6HT
Tel: 0845 257 3487 (11am to 3pm)
www.badt.org.uk
General Dental Council
37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ
Tel: 020 7887 3800
www.gdc-uk.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could work in all areas of dentistry including general dental practice, cosmetic dentistry, in hospitals, and the Community Dental Service.
With experience, you could progress to dental practice manager. You could also work towards a Certificate in Oral Health Education and specialise in health promotion work, or go into orthodontic therapy (helping dentists to prevent or correct patients' dental irregularities).
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
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