Medical and dental technicians

£31,286

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

37 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

2.17%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Medical and dental technicians

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 3218

Medical and dental technicians operate, calibrate and maintain cardiographic and encephalographic testing equipment, assist in the conduct of post mortems, give simple dental treatments, fit artificial limbs and hearing aids, and undertake a wide range of related medical and dental tasks.

Common tasks include:

operates equipment to diagnose and record or treat hearing, heart, brain, lung and kidney ailments;
undertakes scaling and polishing of teeth, applies medicaments, carries out post-operative hygiene work and advises on preventative dentistry;
makes dentures, crowns, bridges, orthodontic and other dental appliances according to individual patient requirements;
measures patients for, and fits them with, surgical appliances, hearing aids and artificial limbs;
performs related medical tasks including treating hair and scalp disorders and conducting tests on glaucoma patients;
takes samples for clinical examination.

Qualifications

Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades, BTEC/ SQA awards, an Intermediate GNVQ/GSVQ Level II or A levels/H grades. Training may last up to five years depending upon the field and method of study. Professional qualifications and NVQs/SVQs at Level 3 are available in some areas.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Medical and dental technicians

Regional employment: Medical and dental technicians

Future employment: Medical and dental technicians

Top 12 industries: Medical and dental technicians

Alternative & related job titles: Medical and dental technicians

Technician, clinical Ceramist, dental Technician, audiologist Technician, orthopaedic Audiometrician Technician, ECG Fitter, appliance, surgical Hygienist, dental Technician, trauma Technician, pathology Technician, support, clinical Fitter, dental Coordinator, implantology Foreman (denture mfr) Technician, maxillo-facial Technician, surgical Therapist, dental Technician, limb, artificial Therapist, hearing Technician, theatre, operating Cardiographer Engineer, dental Practitioner, assistant Officer, technical Physiologist, gastroenterology Recordist, electroencephalographic Technician, cardiological Technician, dental, equine Technician (dental practice) Technician, physics, medical Practitioner, assistant, radiography Technician, support, life (hospital service) Fitter, limb Trichologist Technician, theatre, hospital Engineer, medical Mechanic, dentist's Consultant, aid, hearing Mechanic, dental Technician, cardiac Technician, orthotic Technician, plaster (hospital service) Technician, prosthetic Physiologist, respiratory Educator, health, dental Officer, appliance Technician, orthodontic Technician, pathology, anatomical Curator, instrument Officer, technical, medical Technician, medical Technician, EEG Technician, hospital Technician, dental Radiographer, dental Electro-encephalographer Technician, gastroenterology Dentist, equine Screener, hearing, newborn Technologist, dental Technician Hygienist, oral Technician, cephalographic Maker, denture Physiologist, cardiac

Equality focus: Medical and dental technicians

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.