Clinical dental technician apprenticeship

Provide complete dentures direct to patients or other dental services to the prescription of a dentist

The clinical dental technician role fits between that of a dental technician and a dentist. Like a dental technician, you are able to make dentures in a laboratory but, unlike a dental technician, you’ll have direct contact with patients. Like a dentist, you are able to work in the mouth. However, you are not able to prescribe to patients and will work to prescriptions from the dentist as required. During the clinical dental technician apprenticeship you’ll examine, assess, provide treatment, give advice, and design, manufacture, modify and repair custom-made dental appliances. Working as part of the dental team, you’ll refer patients to a dentist if they need a treatment plan or if there are oral health concerns. Your day-to-day activities could include: assessing patients and taking relevant medical history; fitting, modifying and repairing dental devices; taking and processing radiographs and advising oral hygiene and care of dental devices.

Duration: 24 months

Relevant school subjects: Science

Entry requirements for the clinical dental technician apprenticeship: Depend on employer, but likely A-levels or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience. You must be a General Dental Council-registered dental technician to do this apprenticeship.

Achievement upon completion: Level 5 (Advanced)—equivalent to a foundation degree

Potential salary upon completion: £26,000

Find out more: www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk