Dental technician/dental technologist
Dental technicians (or dental technologists as they are often referred to) make the dentures, crowns, bridges and dental braces that improve patients’ appearance, speech and ability to chew.
Working life
Working to dentists’ or doctors’ prescriptions, you'll use a wide range of materials such as gold, porcelain and plastic to design and construct appliances to meet each patient’s needs.
Much of your work will be done by hand to fine-tune each piece to exact specifications. You'll also work with specialised equipment in the laboratory. Each patient is unique so no two pieces are the same and absolute precision is essential to make sure the device is comfortable and effective.
You'll use a wide range of materials to design and construct appliances and work in four specialist areas:
- prosthodontic technicians design and make dentures
- conservation technicians specialise in crown and bridge work
- orthodontic technicians make braces to correct tooth positions
- maxillofacial technicians' work is based in hospital oral surgery, ophthalmic, cancer and burns units, helping to reconstruct the faces of patients damaged by accident or disease
Dental technicians may also work directly with patients in a clinic alongside a dentist or clinical dental technician.
Andrea Johnson
Orthodontic & maxillofacial laboratory manager
Read Andrea's storyWorking with dental technology has led me to do things I never dreamed I would be doing. My days are never boring.

Entry requirements and training
To work as a dental technician/dental technologist, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). GDC-recognised courses lead to qualifications such as:
- the BTEC National Diploma in Dental Technology where you'll normally need at least four GCSEs at grade 4-7 or A-C,
- a foundation degree where you'll normally need to be employed in a trainee dental technician role or apprenticeship
- a BSc (Hons) degree in dental technology where A-levels or equivalent qualifications are usually required
You can take the BTEC National Diploma or foundation degree course on a full-time basis or by obtaining a post as a trainee dental technician and taking the course part time. BSc (Hons) degrees are usually full-time at a university/dental school.
Must have skills
As well as knowing about the properties of the necessary materials to construct dental appliances, you'll need an excellent understanding of dental and facial anatomy. You might also have some artistic ability due to the nature of the work you're doing.
Career development
Clinical dental technicians
Clinical dental technicians are dental technicians who have undertaken specific clinical training to enable them to design, create, construct, modify and fit removeable dental appliances for patients. You'll be able to provide dentures direct to patients with no natural teeth or provide partial dentures for patients with some teeth. This is an interesting career option for dental technicians who would like to have direct contact with patients. An important part of the role is to check on the patient's general dental welfare.
There are also opportunities to specialise as orthodontic therapists. Dental technicians can apply for training as healthcare scientists specialising in reconstructive sciences through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).
Pay and benefits
You will typically start your NHS career at band 5 of Agenda for Change pay scales and work 37.5 hours a week. You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
If you work outside of the NHS, pay and benefits will vary depending on the employer.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 14 matches
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Dental Technology
University of Worcester
View courseOpens in a new window
- Qualification
- Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration of the course
- 2 Years
- Leading to a career in
- Dental technology
- Contact details
- [email protected] 01905 855111
- Region
- West Midlands
- Admissions address
- 4 Jennens Road
Birmingham
B4 7PS
United Kingdom
-
Dental Technology
Cardiff Metropolitan University
View courseOpens in a new window
- Qualification
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration of the course
- 3 Years
- Leading to a career in
- Dental technology
- Contact details
- [email protected] 029 2041 6010
- Region
- Wales
- Admissions address
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB
United Kingdom
-
Dental Technology
University of Greater Manchester
View courseOpens in a new window
- Qualification
- Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
- Study mode
- Part-time
- Duration of the course
- 3 Years
- Leading to a career in
- Dental technology
- Contact details
- [email protected] +44 (0)1204 903903
- Region
- North West
- Admissions address
- Deane Road
Bolton
BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
-
FD Dental Technology
Sheffield College
View courseOpens in a new window
- Qualification
- Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration of the course
- 2 Years
- Leading to a career in
- Dental technology
- Region
- Yorkshire and The Humber
- Admissions address
- The Sheffield College
Granville Road
Sheffield
S2 2RL
United Kingdom
-
Dental Technology
Nottingham College
View courseOpens in a new window
- Qualification
- Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
- Study mode
- Part-time
- Duration of the course
- 3 years
- Leading to a career in
- Dental technology
- Contact details
- [email protected] 0115 838 0610
- Region
- East Midlands
- Admissions address
- Nottingham College - City Hub
111 Canal Street
Nottingham
NG1 7HB
England