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Job summary

Main area
Dental Technician
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
387-S4673-NG-A
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Dental Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Dental Technician (Orthodontics)

Band 5

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st 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.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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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

Essential criteria
  • 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

Essential criteria
  • 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
Desirable criteria
  • Use of computer aided design & computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques relevant to dental technology

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • 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

Aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • 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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Chris Keating
Job title
Head of Production Laboratories
Email address
[email protected]
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