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 6 - 10 of 26 matches
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Dental Hygiene and Therapy
University of Birmingham
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
- Region
- West Midlands
- Admissions address
- Academic and Student Division
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom
-
Dental Therapy
London South Bank 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] 0207 815 7500
- Region
- London
- Admissions address
- 103 Borough Road
London
SE1 0AA
United Kingdom
-
Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy
University of Leeds
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] 0113 343 9922
- Region
- Yorkshire and The Humber
- Admissions address
- Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 9JT
United Kingdom
-
Dental Therapy
University of Liverpool
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] 0151 794 5927
- Region
- North West
- Admissions address
- The Foundation Building
Brownlow Hill
Liverpool
L69 7ZX
United Kingdom
-
Dental Hygiene
London South Bank 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] 0207 815 7500
- Region
- London
- Admissions address
- 103 Borough Road
London
SE1 0AA
United Kingdom
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Dental Therapist
Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 9DT
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
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Dental Therapist
Oxford, OX41XD
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
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Senior Dental Therapist
Brighton, BN2 9DH
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
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Dental Therapist Advanced Practitioner
Gloucestershire, GL1 2DB
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Educator/Dental Therapist/Hygienist
Ipswich, IP1 3QJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Hygienist or Therapist
London, E1 1FR
- Salary :
- £46419.00 to £55046.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Barts Health NHS Trust
-
Dental Technician
Plymouth, PL1 4JZ
- Salary :
- £33072.00 to £37232.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC
-
Dental Nurse
Norwich, NR7 9XD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Nurse
Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Officer
Leicester, LE3 0LP
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
-
Dental Associate
Frinton on Sea, CO13 0AR
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Nurse
Truro, TR1 3HD
- Salary :
- £27855.00 to £31199.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC
-
Dental Nurse
St Leonards on Sea, TN37 7AN
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Bath, BA1 3NG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Norwich, NR7 9XD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Dental Nurse
Stanley, DH9 0AB
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Baglan, SA12 7BJ
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Swansea Bay University Health Board
-
Dental Nurse
Darlington, DL3 6HX
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Plymouth, PL1 4JZ
- Salary :
- £27855.00 to £31199.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC
-
Dental Opportunities
Huddersfield, HD1 4EW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Locala Health and Wellbeing
-
Dental Nurse
Bristol, BS1 2LY
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
-
Dental Officer
Rochester, ME1 3QS
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Officer
Bradford District, BD18 3LD
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Ringland, Newport, NP19 9PS
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Dental Nurse
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Officer
Heywood, OL10 1LR
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Manchester, M15 6FH
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Newcastle, ST5 2BQ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Harrow, HA1 3UJ
- Salary :
- £32199.00 to £34876.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Dental Nurse
Ipswich, IP3 9FH
- Salary :
- £15.53 to £15.53
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Dental Officer
St Helier, JE2 3QR
- Salary :
- £86859.00 to £122531.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Health and Community Services
-
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
Foundry Bridge, NP13 1BQ
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Dental Officer
Reading, RG2 7PJ
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-
Dental Receptionist
Northampton, NN5 5LQ
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-
Dental Technologist
Burnley, BB10 2PQ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Dental Officer
Thatcham, RG18 3AS
- Salary :
- £52532.00 to £78798.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse - Dental Outreach Centre
Birmingham, B4 7TA
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Clinical Dental Director, Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service
Milton Keynes, MK6 5NG
- Salary :
- £103604.00 to £112360.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dentist/Dental Hygienist
Norwich, NR7 9XD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Primary Care Careers
-
Bank Dental Nurse
Huddersfield, HD3 3EA
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield 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
Liverpool, L3 5PS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- 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
-
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
-
Dental Nurse (bank)
Hereford, HR1 1DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
Qualified Dental Nurse
Cheltenham, GL51 0LG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse
Carmarthen, SA313BB
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Senior Dental Officer / Dental Officer - *£10k Golden Hello Incentive*
Thetford, IP24 1JD
- Salary :
- £81716.00 to £95579.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Dental Services CIC
-
Dental Nurse Band 4
Salisbury, SP1 3SL
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse (XR04)
Leeds, LS2 9LU
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
-
Dental Nurse Band 4
Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, BR33QL
- Salary :
- £32199.00 to £34876.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bromley Healthcare CIC
-
Salaried Dental Officer (Band A)
London, E16 1LQ
- Salary :
- £81716.00 to £95579.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Specialised Dental Nurse
stafford, ST16 3SA
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
Dental Receptionist / Clinical Assistant
Wirral, CH44 5UF
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Dental Nurse - York
York, YO31 7WA
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse
Haverfordwest, SA62 6NN
- Salary :
- £26530.00 to £29114.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
-
Band 4 Dental Nurse - Orthodontics
Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 7EG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Medical Records Clerk - Dental Hospital
Pembroke Place, L3 5PS
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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