You could do a foundation degree or degree in dental technology approved by the General Dental Council.

It's likely you'll need a degree to do advanced dental technology work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could do a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Technology approved by the General Dental Council.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

You may be able to apply to do a Dental Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take around 3 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You could start 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:

• 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
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As a dental technician, you could:

• design, make, modify and repair custom dental devices
• use precision equipment and tools
• shape materials like gold, porcelain and plastic

You might specialise in orthodontic, crown and bridge work or prosthetics. Depending on your speciality you could:

• create plastic or metal devices, like braces to straighten teeth
• make items like crowns or bridges to cement in place
• produce plastic dentures or implants

You could work in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.