Dental Therapy

Dental therapy is a regulated healthcare profession that works alongside dentists to provide clinical dental care directly to patients, including many of the restorative and preventive treatments that previously required a qualified dentist. Dental therapists carry out fillings, extractions of primary teeth, administration of local anaesthesia, scaling and polishing, and the delivery of oral health education, working as part of the integrated dental team to extend the availability of high-quality dental care to more patients. The profession is growing in importance as NHS dental services seek to deploy the full skills of their clinical teams to meet increasing demand.

At the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, this three-year full-time programme is delivered in state-of-the-art clinical facilities with a strong focus on integrated team training, developing your clinical dental skills alongside an understanding of how dental therapists work within the broader dental team. You will develop your ability to carry out dental therapy procedures to a high clinical standard while also developing the communication and patient care skills that clinical practice with diverse patient groups requires. The degree provides a thorough grounding in the evidence base for dental care and the professional and ethical frameworks that govern clinical practice.

With a typical entry tariff of 136 UCAS points, this programme leads to registration as a dental therapist with the General Dental Council, the professional qualification required to practise in the UK. Graduates work in NHS dental practices, specialist referral centres, community dental services, dental hospitals, and the private sector. Career development includes opportunities to develop advanced skills, take on clinical leadership roles, and contribute to the education and training of future dental professionals.

Many graduates also pursue further clinical or academic qualifications to develop their scope of practice.