What Is Dental Therapy Like in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, dental therapists are crucial in addressing dental care gaps, particularly for underserved populations. Trained to perform various preventive and restorative treatments, dental therapists play an essential role in advancing public oral health and alleviating the dental workforce shortage.
A recent article by Leon Bassi, MSc, Dip Dent Paed (DT) RCS Edin, Dip DTh, FHEA, FDT Fed (RCS Ed), a clinical lecturer on dental therapy at the University of Liverpool, and Cassandra Lewis, BSc Hons, BDS Hons, PGDip, PGCAP, FHEA, a clinical lecturer in pediatric dentistry at the University of London, discussed how dental therapy has evolved in the United Kingdom since its inception in the early 20th century, shaped by the need for accessible dental care in underserved communities. The role originated from the “dental dresser” in 1919, where trained women performed essential dental health services in schools, often catering to working-class children. This foundational work laid the groundwork for modern dental therapy, which emerged formally in the 1960s with the establishment of the School for Dental Auxiliaries in London.
Driven by post-war shortages of dental professionals, dental auxiliaries — trained specifically to manage pediatric dental needs — became essential. They provided routine treatments and health education, improving oral health in school-aged children. Influenced by New Zealand’s model, this 2-year program evolved and was rebranded in 1979, when the term “dental therapist” replaced “dental auxiliary.”
Today, dental therapy is a registered profession overseen by the General Dental Council, with around 5,961 dental therapists in the UK as of 2023. These practitioners offer a variety of services, including preventive care, fillings, and extractions, particularly for children and patients without complex needs. A distinctive feature of UK dental therapy is the option for direct access, enabling patients to consult dental therapists without a prior exam by a dentist. This model expands access to care, reduces appointment wait times, and alleviates pressure on National Health System (NHS) dental services, especially following challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, dental therapy still faces several challenges. Despite their essential role, career pathways for dental therapists remain limited, particularly in academia and research. Opportunities for career advancement and specialized roles are minimal, which restricts the profession’s growth and limits the contribution of dental therapists in broader healthcare discussions. To overcome this, advocates suggest creating more structured academic and clinical pathways that enable dental therapists to specialize, conduct research, and contribute to oral health policy.
Furthermore, dental therapists are instrumental in promoting public health by addressing common risk factors for oral diseases, such as high sugar consumption and tobacco use. These diseases, including dental caries, impact millions and are particularly prevalent in socioeconomically deprived areas. By focusing on preventive care, dental therapists play a critical role in reducing the burden of oral disease, contributing to overall health, and supporting the NHS’s goal of universal oral health coverage by 2030. Click here to read more.
