Dental therapist
A dental therapist does some of the more straightforward work undertaken by a dentist.
Working life
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
Annette Matthews
Dental therapist and hygienist
Read Annette's storyMy days vary, depending which practices I am working in. I have busy days which include back-to-back restorative dentistry and there are days when I focus on prevention and dental hygiene.

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
Dental therapists can also develop additional skills including:
- carrying out tooth whitening
- removing sutures after a dentist has checked the wound
You'll treat a range of patients with different treatment needs including those who:
- are dentally anxious
- have learning or physical disabilities
- have high levels of untreated decay
- are unable to access regular dental care in the general dental service
Entry requirements
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.
Must have skills
You will patience and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You'll need empathy and be caring approach along with proficient, highly technical clinical skills. You'll need to be confident to work on your own and be able to put even the youngest of patients at ease. Good time management and organisational skills are essential, along with attention to health and safety procedures. At all times, a dental therapist needs to be mindful of the need for patient confidentiality.
Training and development
The diploma in dental therapy course takes about 27 months, depending on the dental hospital at which you study. Some dental schools offer part time courses for dental hygienists wishing to qualify as dental therapists.
Subjects studied include:
- preventive dentistry
- dental health education
- dental pathology
- simple restorative procedures for both deciduous and permanent teeth
- the extraction of deciduous teeth (previously known as baby teeth)
- radiography and pharmacology
If you are studying dental therapy at level 5 or 6 you could be eligible to receive at least £5,000 a year towards your studies while at university. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more. And the good news? You'll never have to pay it back. Find out more.
Career development
You'll be expected to keep up to date with the latest techniques and developments, including best practice. Your professional development will be identified through performance reviews and will be part of your mandatory requirements for General Dental Council register.
With experience, you can progress to become a practice manager or move into research. You could move into teaching roles or become an orthodontic therapist.
Pay and benefits
Dental therapists may be self-employed or employed directly by a dental practice so your working hours and pay will vary but some evening or weekend work may be required.
If you work for the the NHS in a hospital or community clinic, your starting salary might be at bands 5 or 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. You'll typically work 37.5 hours a week.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 27 matches
Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene
Cardiff 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 hygiene or therapy
- Contact details
- [email protected] 029 2087 9999
- Region
- Wales
- Admissions address
- 30-36 Newport Road
Cardiff
CF24 0DE
United Kingdom
Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy
University of Portsmouth
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 hygiene or therapy
- Contact details
- [email protected] 023 9284 5566
- Region
- South East
- Admissions address
- University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP
England
Oral Health Science
University of Essex
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 hygiene or therapy
- Contact details
- [email protected] 01206 873666
- Region
- East of England
- Admissions address
- University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
England
Dental Hygiene
University of Portsmouth
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 hygiene or therapy
- Contact details
- [email protected] 023 9284 5566
- Region
- South East
- Admissions address
- University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP
England
Dental Hygiene
Cardiff University
View courseOpens in a new window
- Qualification
- Diploma of Higher Education - DipHE
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration of the course
- 2 Years
- Leading to a career in
- Dental hygiene or therapy
- Contact details
- [email protected] 029 2087 9999
- Region
- Wales
- Admissions address
- 30-36 Newport Road
Cardiff
CF24 0DE
United Kingdom
-
Senior Dental Officer / Dental Officer
Thetford, IP24 1JD
- Salary :
- £81716.00 to £95579.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
-
Dental Nurse
Ipswich, IP4 1QJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Nurse
Norwich, NR7 9XD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Nurse
Sheffield, S5 6NU
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Ipswich, IP3 0FS
- Salary :
- £25000.00 to £25001.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University of Suffolk
-
Dental Nurse
Plymouth, PL4 7PY
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Livewell Southwest
-
Dental Nurse
Liverpool, L8 0SQ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Officer
Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Ashton-under-lyne, OL6 7SR
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Associate
Frinton on Sea, CO13 0AR
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Associate
Frinton on Sea, CO13 0AR
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Nurse
Aldershot, GU11 1AY
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Bodmin, PL31 1AH
- Salary :
- £26500.00 to £29500.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Smile Together
-
Dental Receptionist
Old Swan, L13 2GA
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse - Kingswood House Dental, Harrogate
Harrogate, HG2 7SA
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse - Worcester
Worcester, WR1 1AA
- Salary :
- £275.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- 18 Week Support Limited
-
Dental Practice Manager
Basildon, SS14 2EZ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dentist/Dental Hygienist
Norwich, NR7 9XD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Qualified Dental Nurse
Cheltenham, GL51 0LG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Dental Nurse
Liverpool, L3 5PS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Dental Nurse
317 04 Newcastle Dental Hospital, NE2 4AZ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialist Dental Nurse
Newmarket, CB8 9YG
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
-
Bank Dental Nurse
Newmarket, CB8 9YG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
-
Qualified Dental Nurse
Manchester, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Community Dental Nurse
London, SW9 8RR
- Salary :
- £33094.00 to £36195.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse
Haverfordwest, SA612PZ
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Senior Dental Officer
Cowes, PO31 7ER
- Salary :
- £78573.00 to £91903.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Dental Nurse
Liverpool, L3 5PS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Dental Nurse
Lincoln, LN6 9BA
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
-
Registered Dental Nurse
Liverpool, L3 5PS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Dental Nurse
Liverpool, L3 5PS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Core Trainee
Bodelwyddan/Wrexham/Holywell, LL18 5UJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Dental Nurse - Telford
Telford, TF1 1AA
- Salary :
- £275.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- 18 Week Support Limited
-
Community Dental Nurse
London, SW9 8RR
- Salary :
- £33094.00 to £36195.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse
Birmingham, B5 7EG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse
Oldbury, B69 4DE
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Higher Level Dental Nurse
Salford, M6 8HD
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse
Birmingham, B5 7EG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse
Birmingham, B5 7EG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Band 5 Dental Hygienist
Chippenham, SP15 4XX
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
-
Dental Access Portal Assistant
Mold, CH7 1PZ
- Salary :
- £25313.00 to £26999.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Clinical Lead – Community Dental Service
Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA25 5HP
- Salary :
- £78573.00 to £91903.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Primary Care Dental Practice Advisor
Carmarthen, SA31 3BB
- Salary :
- £121937.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Falkland Islands - Senior Dental Officer
Stanley, AA1 1AA
- Salary :
- £104611.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Falkland Islands Government
-
Junior Dental Fellow in OMFS
Derby, DE22 3NE
- Salary :
- £52656.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 5 Civilian Dental Hygienist
Blandford Forum, DT11 8RH
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
-
Band A Dentist/Dental Officer
Dorchester, DT1 2JY
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Civilian Dental Nurse
Bury St Edmonds, IP31 1EE
- Salary :
- £26530.00 to £29114.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
-
Band B Dentist - Senior Dental Officer
Poole, BH17 7FR
- Salary :
- £78573.00 to £91903.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Registered Civilian Dental Nurse
Aldershot, GU11 2LS
- Salary :
- £26530.00 to £29114.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
-
National Consultant lead in Dental Epidemiology
Leeds, LS2 7UE
- Salary :
- £105000.00 to £139000.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Department of Health & Social Care
-
Agency, Medical & Dental Bank Administrator *Internal*
Carlisle, CA6 4SJ
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Independent End Point Assessor- Dental Nurse Integrated
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 8BT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- NCFE
-
Band 4 Qualified Dental Nurse - Coventry Based
Coventry, CV1 4FS
- Salary :
- £26530.00 to £29114.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
-
MYDoc Trust Doctor Dental Core Trainee equivalent
Wakefield, WF1 4DG
- Salary :
- £52656.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse – Royal London Hospital – Band 4
London, E1 1FR
- Salary :
- £31944.00 to £34937.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Barts Health NHS Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse – Royal London Hospital – Band 4
London, E1 1FR
- Salary :
- £31944.00 to £34937.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barts Health NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Special Care Dentistry Community Dental Service
Haverfordwest, SA61 2PZ
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Community Dental Fellow (Dentist) ** with fully funded PG Cert **
Lowestoft, NR32 1UR
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
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