Working in the dental team
A team-based approach is central to UK dentistry. The GDC registers six Dental Care Professional (DCP) titles: dental hygienist, dental therapist, dental nurse, dental technician, clinical dental technician, and orthodontic therapist. Each role has a scope of practice, within which some professionals work independently, and others under a dentist's prescription. Understanding these roles and how they interact is key to successfully integrating into the UK workplace.
Depending on the practice setup, you may work alongside multiple DCPs. They are independently registered and held to the same professional standards as dentists in terms of training, competence, and indemnity.
Dental hygienists and therapists may provide treatment under a dentist’s prescription or independently, through a system known as ‘direct access,’ depending on the practice. Clinical dental technicians may treat edentulous patients independently but require a prescription for partially dentate patients or those with implants. The GDC’s Scope of Practice document provides more information.
All registered dental professionals can own and manage dental practices.
