Senior Dental Technician (Orthodontics)

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW); Bristol; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Bristol is seeking a Senior Dental Technician to design and fabricate dental appliances in a modern orthodontic lab. The role involves collaborating with clinicians, utilizing cutting-edge CAD/CAM technology, and overseeing technical staff. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Dental Technology and experience in a hospital setting. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a progressive team focused on patient-centered care and innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and producing custom-made dental appliances.
• Thorough knowledge of CAD/CAM techniques relevant to dental technology.
• Experience in a hospital environment handling challenging cases.

Responsibilities

• Construct complex specialized dental appliances using CAD/CAM technology.
• Collaborate with clinicians and patients to design innovative solutions.
• Supervise Technicians and assist the Chief Dental Technician.

Skills

Design and production of dental appliances

Knowledge of CAD/CAM technology

Ability to communicate with clinicians

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

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

Registration with the General Dental Council

Job description

Senior Dental Technician (Orthodontics)

Go back University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

The closing date is 21 January 2026

Following a recent retirement of one of our longer-serving team members an opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced and resourceful Senior Dental Technician to join our Orthodontic Laboratory team at Bristol Dental Hospital.

The post holder will be responsible for the design, planning and fabrication of a wide range of custom‑made dental/oro‑facial devices within the orthodontic laboratory, as part of the Bristol Dental Hospital's Production Laboratories service, which comprises the Orthodontic and Maxillofacial Laboratory, the Fixed and Removable Prosthodontic laboratory and the 3D Dental & Surgical Design Laboratory.

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 and 3D printing technology.

Main duties of the job

• To construct an extensive range of highly complex, specialised custom‑made dental/oro‑facial appliances.
• To utilise CAD/CAM technology to design and manufacture highly complex fixed and removable appliances.
• Collaborate directly with clinicians and patients to provide technical advice, discuss case requirements and develop innovative appliances and custom solutions to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provide cover and assist the Chief Dental Technician (Laboratory Manager) in all areas that may be required, including prioritisation and organisation of workload.
• To be responsible for the supervision of any Technicians that may be recruited and any students that may be allocated to the department.
• To assist with rostering, off‑duty periods and holiday cover to ensure smooth running of the Laboratory.
• Participate in the development and implementation of laboratory policies.
• Carry out basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Order stock on the Trust system.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records for audit purposes and compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulation.
• Assist with research projects, surveys & audits of the service as required.
• Regularly required to maintain prolonged concentration throughout the fabrication of appliances and models.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward‑thinking multi‑award‑winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world‑leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. 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. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 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.

Job responsibilities

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

Informal visits to the department are encouraged.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in the design and production of highly complex, specialised custom‑made dental/oro‑facial appliances.
• A broad theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of specialised technical procedures within appropriate discipline.
• Thorough knowledge of the application of computer aided design & computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques relevant to associated dental technology.
• Understanding the varied nature of the materials, various acrylics, silicone materials and metals and how they work together.
• Experience of training/assisting junior staff/students.
• Knowledge and awareness of UK Medical Devices Regulation.
• Experience of presenting cases to other dental professionals.
• Experience in a hospital environment, treating a range of challenging cases to a very high standard.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to analyse complex treatment plans, interpret detailed laboratory prescriptions and devise appropriate solutions, including the design and fabrication of new dental appliances.
• 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 deal with distressing or emotional circumstances when occasionally dealing with patients with oro‑facial abnormalities or terminal illness.
• Willingness to work within a team.
• Self‑motivated.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• To have excellent communication skills both orally and written.
• 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.

Qualifications and Training

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

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)