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Dental therapist
This page describes the role of dental therapist, and includes information on the skills and training required, funding, and how to apply.
Background
Dental therapists (sometimes also known as oral health practitioners) are dental care professionals and work as part of the dental team.The job
Dental therapists are the rarest members of the dental team, with approximately 380 on the General Dental Council Roll in 2002. A registered dentist must examine the patient and indicate clearly in writing the course of treatment that the dental therapist needs to carry out.Like the dental hygienist, the dental therapist has an important role in promoting dental health. They will treat adults and children. Since July 2002, dental therapists have been able to work in all sectors of dentistry including general dental practice.
A Dental therapist can carry out a range of procedures, including:
- intra and extra oral assessment
- scaling and polishing
- applying materials to teeth such as fluoride and fissure sealants
- taking dental radiographs
- providing dental health education on a one to one basis or in a group situation
- undertaking routine restorations in both deciduous and permanent teeth, on adults and children
- using all materials except pre cast or pinned placements
- extracting deciduous teeth under local
infiltration analgesia
- undertaking the pulp therapy treatment of deciduous teeth.
- placing pre formed crowns on deciduous teeth.
- administering inferior dental nerve block analgesia under the supervision of a dentist.
- providing emergency temporary replacement of crowns and fillings.
- taking impressions.
- treating patients under conscious sedation
provided the dentist remains in the surgery throughout the treatment.
- are dentally anxious.
- are medically compromised.
- are physically disabled.
- have learning disabilities.
- have high levels of untreated decay.
- are unable to access regular dental care in the general dental service.
Registration
In order to practice, a dental therapist must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). You can contact the GDC at:General Dental Council
37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ
Telephone: 020 7887 3800
Fax: 020 7224 3294
Email: CAIT@gdc-uk.org
Website: www.gdc-uk.org
Entry requirements
Five GCSE subjects graded A - 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. To practice, you must be on the General Dental Councils roll of dental therapists. You achieve this by obtaining the diploma in dental therapy offered by a number of hospitals.Skills
As clinical decisions will ultimately be based on the needs of the individual patient, the dental therapist will have autonomy over the way that the treatment plan is undertaken. This will include the choice of instruments and materials to be used, which requires expert knowledge and skills.A clinical session will vary from day to day, with the dental therapist carrying out a range of clinical tasks. The dental therapists will often spend valuable time encouraging anxious patients to accept dental treatment. This requires patience, excellent communication skills, and interpersonal skills. An empathetic and caring approach is very important, in addition to proficient, highly technical clinical skills.
Good time management in addition to organisational skills, with attention to health and safety procedures are essential. At all times a dental therapist is mindful of the need for patient confidentiality.
Training
The length of the diploma course is 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, radiography and pharmacology.
The schools of dental hygiene and dental therapy have been working on developing training programmes for the new duties - please contact your nearest school for information. Many now offer combined courses in dental hygiene and dental therapy.
Information can also be obtained from the postgraduate dental deans. Details of these are available at the following website:
www.copdend.org.uk/
Financial support for students on dental therapy courses
For information about financial support whilst taking a degree course in dental therapy, please click here.How to apply
Apply to the schools of dental therapy of your choice. Demand for training is increasing and your chances of gaining a place will be enhanced if you have relevant qualifications and experience.Continuing personal and professional development (CPD)
Throughout the career of the dental therapist, it is expected that they will keep up to date with the latest techniques, and developments, including best practise.CPD may well be identified through individual performance reviews. Any CPD activity needs to be recorded by the dental therapist, as this will form part of the mandatory requirements of the General Dental Council's annual registration on the dental therapists roll.
Career prospects
Dental therapists with experience can progress to become practice
managers or move into research work. They can also move into teaching
roles or with further training and experience, dental therapists can
work as orthodontic therapists.For further information:
British Association of Dental Therapists
8 Salmon Fields Business Village
Royton
Oldham
OL2 6HT
Tel: 0845 257 3487 (11am to 3pm)
Email: secretary@badt.org.uk
Website: www.badt.org.uk
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