Dental technician

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply for a place on a Dental Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take between 2 and 3 years and combines on-the-job training with study.

Once working as a technician, you may be able to do a Clinical Dental Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship. You'll need the support of your employer to do this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as a trainee dental technician with a practice and complete technician training part time while working.

This could take up to 5 years depending on how the training is structured.

Registrations

you'll need to register with the General Dental Council

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join the Dental Technologists Association (DTA) for professional development and training opportunities.

Further Information

You can learn more about how to become a dental technician from Health Careers and the Dental Technologists Association .

As a dental technician, you could:

• plan work based on dental prescriptions, impressions and scans
• create templates using computer-aided design software
• select materials for each job, like metals, porcelain and acrylics
• make, modify and repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, implants and braces
• use precision hand tools and 3D printing techniques
• check the quality of work throughout the manufacturing process
• make prostheses for patients who have lost part of their jaw through injury or disease

You could work in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.