Dental technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in dental technology approved by the General Dental Council .

It's likely you'll need a degree to do advanced dental technology work.

Entry requirements:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Technology approved by the General Dental Council .

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

Apprenticeship

You could do the Dental Technician Level  5 Higher Apprenticeship.

If you want to make dental appliances and have direct contact with patients, you could do the Clinical Dental Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a trainee dental technician with a practice and study part time.

This could take up to 5 years depending on which qualification you do.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• the ability to work well with others
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• active listening skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• persistence and determination
• customer service skills
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to organise your time and workload

What you'll do:

Dental technicians make and repair dental appliances used to improve patients' appearance, speech or ability to eat.

As a dental technician, you could:

• design, make, modify and repair custom dental devices
• use precision equipment and tools
• shape materials like gold, porcelain and plastic

You might specialise in orthodontic, crown and bridge work or prosthetics. Depending on your speciality you could:

• create plastic or metal devices, like braces to straighten teeth
• make items like crowns or bridges to cement in place
• produce plastic dentures or implants

Location : You could work in a laboratory.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• train to become a clinical dental technician if you want more direct contact with patients
• do further training to become a healthcare scientist through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) and specialise in reconstructive sciences
• set up your own laboratory or work abroad
• become a senior or chief dental technician
• move into quality control, sales, management, teaching or research