Dental Therapist 


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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:


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:

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 : 


For more information:

https://universityexpert.co.uk/dental-university-interview-questions-and-answers/

https://www.theukcatpeople.co.uk/application-guide/dentistry/dental-school-practice-interview-questions

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Employers

Dental therapists are employed by:


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