Careers
Discover Dentistry explores the professions related to dentistry. Throughout the course you will meet and learn from each of the main roles, and will get to see how they fit into the working dental team.
Dentist
Role: Dentists are healthcare professionals who provide preventive and restorative treatments for problems that affect the mouth and teeth. Dentists may be general dental practitioners, or may specialise with further training for one of the recognised specialties:
special care dentistry
oral surgery
orthodontics
paediatric dentistry
endodontics
periodontics
prosthodontics
restorative dentistry
dental public health
oral medicine
oral microbiology
oral and maxillofacial pathology
dental and maxillofacial radiology
Training: In order to register to work, all dentists in the UK initially follow the same education and training which is accredited by the General Dental Council. A candidate initially needs to obtain a bachelors degree (either a BDS or BChD) from one of the approved dental schools (usually a five year course, but it can be longer or shorter: four years for graduates, or six years if a pre-dental year is required due to not having the tight subjects to offer at A Level. This is then followed by further training related to the specialty chosen.
Learn more about being a dentist at NHS Careers
Dental Nurse
Role: A dental nurse supports the dentist in all aspects of patient care, this includes getting the appropriate instruments ready, mixing materials and ensuring patient comfort. They will also take notes from dentists dictation for records and once the patient has left, the dental nurse tidies the surgery and sterilises all of the instruments.
Training: To work as a dental nurse, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) having completed a recognised training course. You can either study and work as a trainee dental nurse, studying on a part-time basis for recognised qualifications in dental nursing (National diploma, NVQ, VRQ or QCF) or you can study a GDC approved full-time course currently offered by a small number of universities.
Learn more about being a dental nurse at NHS Careers
Dental hygienist
Role: A dental hygienist’s role within the dental team is helping to prevent dental problems from arising. A dental hygienist carries out procedures such as scaling and polishing teeth, applying topical fluoride and fissure sealants and providing oral health education.
Training: To practice as a dental hygienist you need to have undertaken an appropriate course approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). These are usually two years (or up to 27 months) long on a full-time basis and are offered by universities.
Learn more about being a dental hygienist at NHS Careers
Dental therapist
Role: A relatively new addition to the dental team (since 2002). As well as being able to do all the things a dental hygienist can, they can also undertake more treatments such as placing emergency temporary fillings, taking radiographs and giving local anaesthetic. See the GDC website for the full list.
Training: To practice as a dental therapist you need to have undertaken an appropriate course approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). These are usually two years (or up to 27 months) long on a full-time basis and are offered by universities. There are also part-time courses for dental hygienists wishing to qualify as dental therapists.
Learn more about dental therapists at NHS Careers
Dental technician
Role: Dental technicians make the dental prostheses (dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances). They work closely with a dentist, using a wide range of techniques and materials to design and construct appliances individually for each patient.
Training: Dental technicians must also register with the GDC, and to do so must complete one of the recognised courses: BTEC National diploma or foundation degree course. There are also degree (BSc) courses offered by universities.
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