The work of a dental technician can include designing, building, repairing and adjusting dental devices for patients who have lost teeth, or require assistance in correcting the appearance and performance of their teeth.

The three main areas of work are:

• orthodontics – creating plastic or metal devices to re-align teeth
• crown and bridge work – constructing restorative appliances which can be cemented in place
• prosthetics - producing plastic dentures or implants, some of which have metal inserts to help keep them straight.

Some dental technicians specialise in one area of the work.

Dental technicians use a wide range of specialist techniques, equipment, instruments, and computer technology.

Many dental technicians work in private commercial dental laboratories, creating devices and appliances for a number of general dental practitioners over a wide geographical area.

A small number of technicians work in hospitals and also assist in dental surgery, designing and constructing artificial parts of the face for patients with facial or jaw injuries, cancers or congenital abnormality such as cleft palate.

Dental technicians can also work in research, teaching, or the Defence Dental Agency dental laboratories of the Armed Forces.

Hours and Environment

Dental technicians in the NHS usually work 37.5 hours a week, although work in surgery or burns units can mean irregular hours, including on-call duties. Working in a commercial laboratory would involve slightly longer hours and overtime may be available. Part-time work is possible.

Dental technicians work in laboratories, either alone or as part of a team. In hospitals, they will have direct contact with dental and oral surgeons. Generally, they do not have contact with patients.

Skills and Interests

To be a dental technician you should:

• have excellent manual dexterity
• be able to concentrate for long periods of time and pay good attention to detail
• be able to understand and interpret complicated, technical instructions
• be capable of high precision and accurate work
• have good eyesight and colour perception
• have a degree of artistic flair
• have an interest and ability in science.

Entry

Since the end of July 2006, dental technicians have been able to join the General Dental Council (GDC) register under transitional arrangements. By the end of July 2008 all dental technicians will be required to be on the register in order to practise in the UK.

To meet the standard required to join the register, you must complete either a BTEC National Diploma, SQA HNC, or degree in Dental Technology.

Entry requirements for the national diploma usually include four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) in English language, mathematics and a science. For the SQA HNC you may also need one A level/two H grades. Entry onto a degree will usually require five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two or three A levels/H grades, or equivalent.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

Membership of the GDC is also available to technicians with:

• certain qualifications which are no longer available (and therefore not listed above)
• seven years' experience in the past 10 years
• existing membership with the Dental Technicians Association's National Voluntary Register. 

Check the GDC website for details; see Further Information.

Training

It may be possible to begin your career as a dental technician in one of three ways:

• by studying full-time to achieve a BTEC National, SQA HNC, degree in dental technology, and then start work with a lab - some courses combine commercial experience with attendance at college
• by gaining work as a trainee in a commercial laboratory or dental practice, and studying part-time for a BTEC National, SQA HNC, degree in dental technology - traineeships often last for four or five years
• by gaining entry onto a hospital or health authority run scheme - training is usually over four years and includes studying part-time towards a BTEC National, SQA HNC, or degree in dental technology.

Courses involve studying areas such as dental anatomy and materials, basic laboratory techniques, complete and partial denture prosthetics, conservation and restoration, and orthodontic appliances and dental bridge fabrication.

For further information check with the GDC, DTA and Dental Laboratories Association.

Opportunities

Dental technicians may have opportunities to set up a laboratory and become self-employed. There are also prospects to work abroad.

Promotion to senior or chief technician is usually dependent on the individual gaining further qualifications. In large commercial laboratories there may be opportunities in quality control, sales and management. Some technicians go into teaching.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

The starting salary for a dental technician with a relevant qualification is likely to be around £19,000.
Technician specialists may earn between £23,000 and £31,000. 
A dental technician with advanced skills and additional responsibilities can earn up to £36,000.

Further information

Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk PO Box 6520
Northampton
NN3 9ZX
Tel: 0870 243 0753 37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ
Tel: 020 7887 3800

44-88 Wollaton Road Beeston Nottinghamshire NG9 2NR Tel: 0115 925 4888