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Dental technician apprenticeships

Healthcare

Dental technician apprenticeships - where to start

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. You're likely to need a degree qualification to do advanced dental technology work. You'll usually need at least 1 A-Level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree. You'll need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree.

     

    College
    You can do a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Technology, approved by the General Dental Council. You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science.

    Apprenticeship
    You can get into this role through a higher apprenticeship as a dental technician. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or equivalent, for a higher apprenticeship. 

    Work
    You can work 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. You'll need to register with the General Dental Council.

    Professional and industry bodies
    You could join The Dental Technologists Association, for professional development and training opportunities.

    Dental technician apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • 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

    Dental technician apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    Your tasks will depend on your specialism and could include: 

    • orthodontics - you will create plastic or metal devices, such as braces to straighten teeth 
    • crown and bridge work - you will make items to cement in place 
    • prosthetics - you will produce plastic dentures or implants
    Working environment
    You could work in a laboratory. You may need to wear protective clothing.

    Career path and progression - Dental technician apprenticeships

    You could train as a healthcare scientist, specialising in reconstructive sciences, like maxillo-facial prosthetics through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). With experience you could set up your own laboratory, or work abroad. In a commercial lab, you could become a senior or chief technician. Or you could move into quality control, sales or management. You could also become a teacher.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

    Start searching for Apprenticeships Near You

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