Therapist - Career prospects
After obtaining a Diploma in Dental Therapy a dental therapist must enrol with the General Dental Council, and is then free to practise. Enrolment must be renewed annually.
Career paths
There are approximately 350 dental therapists in the UK, at the moment working only within the community and the hospital dental services. Although a therapist works to a dentist's written prescription, this does not mean the therapist needs to be accompanied by the dentist to carry out the treatment.
Employment
Currently dental therapists are only permitted to work in the Community and Hospital Dental Services. However, a number of the pilot schemes for Personal Dental Services include dental therapists as part of the team delivering dental care. The General Dental Council has now agreed that in future dental therapists should be able to provide dental care in all branches of dentistry.
Dental Sectors
Dental therapists work exclusively within the community and hospital services, providing dental care for children, expectant mothers and patients with special needs.
