Dental Therapist
Useful Links
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf
https://badt.org.uk/entry-requirements
Job profiles
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/dental-therapist
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/dental-therapist
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/dental-team/roles-dental-team/dental-therapist
What is Dental Therapist?
A dental therapist does some of the more straightforward work undertaken by a dentist. More dental surgeries have dental therapists working for them to do routine dental work. As a therapist, you'll have independence without the full responsibility of running a practice. You can also provide treatment in other parts of the community, such as schools and care homes.
Health education would be an important part of your role such as offering advice to patients on looking after their oral health. You'll also carry out a range of procedures including:
scaling and polishing
applying materials to teeth such as fluoride and fissure sealants
taking dental x-rays
taking impressions of teeth
undertaking routine dental fixes of baby and permanent teeth
putting in crowns
extracting teeth
How to become a Dental therapist
To practise as a dental therapist, you must obtain a diploma or degree in dental therapy and be registered with the General Dental Council.
You'll need five GCSE subjects at grade 4-7 or A to C, plus two A-levels or a recognised qualification in dental nursing. You may also be required to have some experience of dental nursing before taking the course.
University
You'll need a degree or diploma in dental therapy approved by the General Dental Council.
If you're a qualified dental hygienist or dental nurse, you might be able to do a part time course with a dental school to become a dental therapist.
You might be able to get additional student finance support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Universities that offer Dental Therapy include :
Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, UCLan, King's College London, University of London, Leeds, Liverpool, London South Bank University, Manchester, Newcastle, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Suffolk. (2024)
Apprenticeship
You could start by doing the Dental Nurse Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
With experience, you could then do a degree or diploma whilst working to become a dental therapist.
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
Work Experience
To get a place on a training course, you're expected to have some awareness of the profession and be able to demonstrate an interest in helping people. You can achieve this by work shadowing a dental therapist in your local dental practice or by getting involved in voluntary healthcare work in, for example, care homes or hospices.
Experience as a dental nurse may also be useful prior to applying to courses.
Taken from prospects 2024
University application help
interview help
Potential questions to think about :
Why do you want to be a dental hygienist or therapist?
Discuss your work experience
Why have you chosen this university?
What interests you about a career in this field?
What has been your most important achievement to date?
What skills and qualities do you think a dentist therapist should have?
Why are you suitable to become a dental therapist?
You may be asked ethical questions about the sector: e.g. How can the sugar tax tackle dental disease?
What do you know about the General Dental Council - why is it important?
Do you know of any current issues in this sector?
For more information:
https://universityexpert.co.uk/dental-university-interview-questions-and-answers/
Click above for help with MMI interviews ^
Employers
Look for job vacancies at:
British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) - available to members only
British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) - available to members only
Dental therapists are employed by:
general dental practices - the number of full and part-time dental therapists employed in general dental practices providing NHS or private treatment to patients is growing as the need to provide oral healthcare and treatment to younger and older patients has increased
dental hospitals - you can start your first job as a dental therapist in the NHS or in a private hospital, helping orthodontists during complex treatments and surgery
community dental practices, including schools and care homes - working in a clinical or educational role to ensure that everyone has access to dental care
specialist periodontal or orthodontic practices
education/research establishments - conducting research and delivering teaching at a dental hospital
HM Prison Service
defence dental services - at locations in the UK or overseas with the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.