History of the Dental Therapist

Following the establishment of the NHS in 1948 the extent of dental disease in the UK was recognised by the Government. “Dental Nurses” had been well established in New Zealand to undertake such tasks as simple, routine dental treatment under the prescription of a referring dentist. Studies had shown that their work was of a very high standard.

Following legislation, a training school was set up at New Cross Hospital in London, to train sixty Dental Auxiliaries (as Dental Therapists were then called) with many of the original Tutors coming from New Zealand.

Students completed a two year intensive training course, covering the basic skills necessary to ensure that their patients became dentally fit. i.e. conservation, extraction, scaling and polishing, and dental health education.

Following withdrawal of courses at New Cross in 1983 the Royal London Hospital continued a very much smaller Dental Therapy school, training 8 Dental Therapists every year. These Dental Therapists were dual qualified as Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists.

Today

Today most training establishments offer only the dual qualification of dental therapist and hygienist emphasising the growing importance of dental therapists as a multifaceted professional member of the oral health team.

The BADT encourages members to attend conferences, courses and read dental literature in order to keep abreast of current issues and new materials/products. Members are encouraged to record any further studies they may have undertaken since qualifying and the BADT are currently looking into producing a CPD file in order to help members keep a record of their continuing professional development and ensure that they are keeping up to date.

For details of training establishments please go to Career Pathway ..... Dental Schools.