Dental therapists have a vital role to play in the provision of dentistry in the UK. This article examines the role of dental therapists in carrying out aesthetic dentistry in the UK dental practice setting. Patient access through collaborative working, especially through a shared care model, referral, and direct access will be discussed. In addition, two clinical cases are presented to demonstrate the provision of aesthetic anterior dental restorations by dental therapists.
HarperPKleinmanEGallagherJ, et al. Cost-effective workforce planning: optimising the dental team skill-mix for England. J Enterp Inf Manag. 2013;26:91-108.
EvansCChestnuttIGChadwickBL. The potential for delegation of clinical care in general dental practice. Br Dent J. 2007;203(12):695-699.
4.
TurnerSTripatheeSMacGillivrayS. Direct access to DCPs: what are the potential risks and benefits?Br Dent J. 2013;215(11):577-582.
5.
BarnesEBullockAChestnuttIG, et al. Dental therapists in general dental practice. A literature review and case-study analysis to determine what works, why, how and in what circumstances. Eur J Dent Educ. 2020;24(1):109-120.
6.
WanyonyiKLRadfordDRHarperPR, et al. Alternative scenarios: harnessing mid-level providers and evidence-based practice in primary dental care in England through operational research. Hum Resour Health. 2015;13(78):1-12.
7.
GibbonsDECorriganMNewtonJT. The working practices and job satisfaction of dental therapists: findings of a national survey. Br Dent J. 2000;189(8):435-438.
8.
CsikarJGodsonJ. Summary of: Job satisfaction among dually qualified dental hygienist–therapists in UK primary care: a structural model. Br Dent J. 2011;210(4):166-167.
9.
GallagherJLWrightDA. General dental practitioners’ knowledge of and attitudes towards the employment of dental therapists in general practice. Br Dent J. 2003;194(1):37-41.
10.
UK Draft Statutory Instruments, The National Archives. Dental Auxiliaries (Amendment) Regulations 2002. [Internet]. London: The National Archives; 2002. Available at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2002/0110398866/note [Accessed Apr 2023].
Public Health England (PHE) and Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) (now College of General Dentistry [CGDent]). Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment. 2nd ed. [Internet]. PHE and CGDent: London; 2020. Available at https://cgdent.uk/standards-guidance/ [Accessed Apr 2023].
13.
KaliaR. An analysis of the aesthetic proportions of anterior maxillary teeth in a UK population. Br Dent J. 2020;228(6):449-455.
14.
DitschiD. Optimising aesthetics and facilitating clinical application of free-hand bonding using the ‘natural layering concept’. Br Dent J. 2008;204(4):181-185.
15.
BlumIRNikolinakosNLynchCD, et al. An in vitro comparison of four intra-oral ceramic repair systems. J Dent. 2012;40(11):906-912.
16.
BlumIRJaggerDCWilsonNHF. Defective dental restorations: to repair or not to repair? Part 2: All-ceramics and porcelain fused to metal systems. Dent Update. 2011;38(3):150-152, 154-156, 158.
17.
AhmadI. An introduction to aesthetic dentistry. BDJ Team. 2021;8:26-32.
18.
SaduraZHanksSTredwinC, et al. The dental therapist’s role in a ‘shared care’ approach to optimise clinical outcomes. Br Dent J. 2021;231(2):104-108.
19.
DyerTAOwensJRobinsonPG. What matters to patients when their care is delegated to dental therapists?Br Dent J. 2013;214(6):E17.
SandomF. Is regulation hampering direct access?BDJ Team. 2017;4:17031.
22.
TurnerSRossM. Direct access: how is it working?BDJ Team. 2017;4:17046.
23.
General Dental Council (GDC). Standards for Education: Standards and requirements for providers. [Internet]. GDC: London; 2015. Available at https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/quality-assurance [Accessed Jan 2022].
24.
EdneyC. Making the most of your dental therapist. BDJ Team. 2020;7(5):19-21.
25.
CsikarJIBradleySWilliamsSA, et al. Dental therapy in the United Kingdom: part 4. Teamwork-is it working for dental therapists?Br Dent J. 2009;207(11):529-536.
26.
SunNBurnsideGHarrisR. Patient satisfaction with care by dental therapists. Br Dent J. 2010;208(5):E9; discussion 212-213.
27.
BrocklehurstPHoareZWoodsC, et al. Dental therapists compared with general dental practitioners for undertaking check-ups in low-risk patients: pilot RCT with realist evaluation. Health Services and Delivery Research. 2021;9(3). doi: 10.3310/hsdr09030
Health Education England (HEE). Advancing Dental Care Review: Final Report Blueprint for future dental education and training to develop a multi-professional oral healthcare workforce. [Internet]. London: HEE; 2021. Available at https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/advancing-dental-care [Accessed Feb 2022].