Dental Technician (Orthodontics)

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Dental Technologist to join the Orthodontic Laboratory team at Bristol Dental Hospital. You will design, plan, and construct custom dental devices, working within a modernised, digitally driven environment.

You will develop new skills, maintain CPD, and collaborate with clinicians to deliver high-quality dental appliances while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons)/BTEC Diploma/HNC in Dental Technology or equivalent.
• Registration with the General Dental Council as a Dental Technician.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

Responsibilities

• Construct models for diagnostic treatment planning and appliance fabrication.
• Repair and adapt a wide range of custom dental/oro-facial appliances.
• Scan models and import intra-oral scans for digital archiving and planning.
• Order stock on the Trust system and maintain accurate records for audit.

Skills

Good judgment

Prioritisation

Communication

Teamwork

Self-motivated

Interpersonal skills

Continual learning

Education

BSc (Hons)/BTEC Diploma/HNC in Dental Technology

GDC registration

CPD evidence

Tools

CAD/CAM

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Dental Production Laboratories for a forward-thinking Dental Technologist to work with our Orthodontic Laboratory team at Bristol Dental Hospital.

The post holder is responsible for the design, planning and construction of an extensive range of custom-made dental/oro-facial devices within the orthodontic laboratory within the Bristol Dental Hospital - Production Laboratories service, comprising Fixed and Removeable Prosthodontics, , Orthodontics and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

The post holder will be expected to develop new skills in line with experience, new practices, qualifications and modernisation (digital workflows) and will also have a commitment to continuing professional development.

Applications are invited from Dental Technicians who are fully registered with the General Dental Council and hold a recognised academic qualification in dental technology. We encourage applications from dental technicians whether your experience and background is based in a commercial dental laboratory or NHS hospital setting.

This is an exciting time to join the team at Bristol Dental Hospital, as we embark on a journey of modernisation, which has seen recent investment in state-of-the-art digital planning software, intraoral scanning and 3D printing technologies.

Main duties of the job

• To construct models for diagnostic treatment planning and appliance fabrication
• To construct, repair and adapt a wide range of custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances within the designated laboratory specialism.
• Be familiar with a range of transfer records, articulators and occlusal techniques.
• Analyse treatment plans and technical prescriptions, redesigning treatment plan as and when circumstances dictate.
• Scan models and import intra-oral scans for digital archiving and associated treatment planning/simulation.
• Order stock on the Trust system.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records for audit purposes and compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulation.
• Carry out basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Assist with research projects, surveys & audits of the service as required.
• Following laboratory policies and procedures.
• Liaise directly with clinicians and patients to provide technical advice, discuss case requirements and ensure the delivery of custom dental appliances, while addressing barriers to understanding when communicating with patients.
• To communicate effectively and engage with consultants and other healthcare staff.
• Regularly required to maintain prolonged concentration throughout the fabrication of appliances and models.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons)/BTEC Diploma/HNC in Dental Technology or equivalent
• Registration with the General Dental Council as a Dental Technician
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Experience

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of specialised technical procedures within appropriate discipline
• Understanding of oral and facial anatomy; tooth eruption, morphology and clinical charting
• Understanding the varied nature of the materials, various acrylics, silicone materials and metals and how they work together
• Use of computer aided design & computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques relevant to dental technology

Skills and Abilities

• Good judgment skills are required for analysing and interpreting laboratory prescriptions
• Plan and prioritise own workload and use their own initiative to solve problems with the support of the more senior laboratory staff
• Prolonged computer use requiring keyboard skills for word processing
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians to manage non-routine aspects of appliance fabrication
• Ability to work within a team
• Self-motivated
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to develop or suggest improvements within the team
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills / appliance types and designs and to follow suitable pathways of continuous professional development
• Values and respects others, treats everyone as an individual, non-judgemental

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as yourcareer development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.