Do NHS dental checkups need to be conducted by qualified dentists?

[Sillychuckie]

I took my child to the dentist today for a 6 month checkup, and they were seen by someone described on the website, as a "Trainee Dental Nurse" (and not their usual dentist). They were assisted by another, described on their website, as a "Dental Nurse". So 1 'dental nurse' (making computer notes), and another 'trainee dental nurse' (conducting the examination in my childs mouth).

They have booked in the next NHS appointment, and it is with the same person.

I looked their name up on the GDC website, and it describes them as:
"Dental Hygienist/Dental Therapist, registered under s36c of the dentists act, since May 2025".

So I'm assuming here, that they are in fact qualified (newly?), but the dental practises own website is under selling them and their experience.

My question is, can someone like this conduct NHS examinations, or must they be a qualified dentist to do so? They have said that my child needs a thorough clean, and want her to come back later in the week, to see them again (£75), but its just not something I've come across before.

I was reading about 'direct-access', which seems to suggest that dental nurses can provide some treatment without a dentist, but I suppose I'm mostly confused as to why the dentists own website might only describe them as a 'trainee dental nurse', whereas the GDC has them down as a 'Hygienist' (still odd to be doing NHS checkups). Perhaps noteworthy that they are only registered on the GDC since May 2025, so I think this is a case of a dental nurse, becoming a newly qualified Hygeinist, and the dental practise not yet updating their website.

I'm still curious though as to whether a dentist should be involved, or whether its fine to continue seeing this particular individual only.

I'll be asking the dentist when I return there of course, but it would be handy to understand the actual rules/regulations, if someone can explain them.

Thanks.

Were they British? As at our practice the "dentists" are actually dental therapists, who have completed full dental training in another country, but cannot be called dentists here without taking a conversion exam or similar. They can do lots of the same things but certain procedures they can't do.

It's weird that they said dental nurse/trainee dental nurse as that's a very different role.

No idea on if they need to be an actual dentist, but I'd imagine in terms of the job title the website just needs updating.

In a nutshell there was a loophole where overseas qualified dentists could register as dental therapists in the UK without any examinations/test of their skills.

if they wanted to join the dentist register they needed to pass exams, which a large number do fail. so a large number opted to register as dental therapists to avoid the examinations.

so this clinician may be very competent, but they might also not be. There’s no way of knowing as they haven’t sat any exams to check their training.
training in dentistry is not the same in every country. Hence additional exams being required here for overseas prospective registrants.

the loophole is now closed, but there was a large backlog which is why some are still getting through.

a dental therapist has a wide remit and can provide examinations for adults and children, radiography, fillings for adults and children, extraction of children’s primary teeth, and the scope of a hygienist.

would you want an untested in the UK clinician doing your filling/deciding if your child needed treatment?
I would be cautious.

But, I would also stress the training for uk qualified therapists is very thorough and they leave university as highly skilled clinicians. Crucially who know when to refer what is out of their scope of practice and are trained alongside and to the same standards as dentists for their scope.

Oh and I should add, dental nurses learn while working. Like an apprenticeship within a practice/hospital.
i suspect your clinician was working as a ‘trainee dental nurse’ while waiting for their registration as a therapist to come through.

dental hygienists, therapists, technicians, dentists all train at university. They cannot learn ‘on the job’ at a practice. They see patients at the university hospital while they are training, but it is clear they are students with supervision at all times.

Dental therapists are qualified and allowed to do NHS check ups , x rays, fillings on children and adults , extractions on children and hygiene treatments , anything else eg adult teeth extractions, root treatments, crowns, bridges , dentures need to be done by a dentist.

It is a government policy to recruit more dental therapists to work in NHS dentistry to shore up the tottering edifice. However many therapists are finding exactly the same problems that dentists are with funding of NHS dental treatment.

Many dental therapists start off as dental nurses then go on to do a university degree to become qualified in dental therapy and hygiene.

Dental nurses do not have direct access for anything and their remit on patients is very limited . Dental therapists/hygienists do have direct access both NHS and private within their scope of practice .

Thank you all for your responses, I think I have all the information and answers I need.

• Yes, they are foreign
• They are qualified (based on an overseas qualification)
• It isn't possible to determine how long they have been qualified for (since the GDC site only carries the date of their UK registration via s36c).
• The dental practises own website, is outdated and doesn't correctly reflect their true qualification as held with the GDC website. They are clearly far more than a 'trainee dental nurse'.
• They are sufficiently qualified for the examination and treatments likely to take place.

Having said all that, they charge the same amount for an appointment as the hygeinist we would usaully see, with 20+ years of continuous, GDC registered UK experience, so when I'm next asked whom I might prefer to see, if its otherwise all the same, I'd probably choose the other one. Perhaps that is unfair, but my kid preferred the other one, so that is all that matters for now.

Thanks again all for your contributions.

I found out too that we are being seen by a dental therapist( no explanation from surgery just the title.) I asked why and they said NHS is trying to get people seen. The therapist can refer people to the dentist if needed but that’s an extra appointment! I am going to see dentist next time. Teeth are important and want fulling qualified if I am paying. The annoying thing is surgery said most people have no idea these therapists are not dentists.

It’s understandable to be cautious when someone new is handling your child’s NHS checkup. In the UK, dental hygienists and therapists can perform examinations and certain treatments under “direct access,” meaning a dentist doesn’t always need to be present. However, complex procedures or formal NHS checkups usually involve a dentist at some point.

Sometimes, practices don’t update staff titles immediately. For instance, a newly qualified hygienist might still be listed as a “trainee dental nurse” on a website, even though they’re fully registered with the GDC. A real-life example is Burwood Diamond Dental(https://burwooddiamonddental.com.au/) in Burwood, NSW, where their site clearly emphasizes a team of qualified dentists supported by nurses and hygienists, ensuring patients receive the right level of care while staff titles are accurately represented.

It’s reasonable to continue appointments with the same professional if they are registered and performing tasks within their scope, but asking for clarification from the practice is always best. Confirming that your child’s checkups are compliant with NHS regulations will give peace of mind.