Dental Practice

This is likely to be the part of Dentistry with which you are most familiar. At the head of the practice is, of course, the Dentist. But in the practice are many other important roles requiring different levels of qualification.
For example:

Dental Laboratory

This can be a separate company, or one located within the practice. These are specialist bench top manufacturing companies, which produce dentures, crowns and bridges, mouthguards, orthodontic appliances (braces) etc.

Dental Trade Press

As with all trades, the Dental Trade has its own group of publications specific to the trade. These publications will inform Dentists and other employees about current trends within their profession, as well as contain articles written by specialists on techniques. Both Manufacturers and Dealers will use this medium to advertise their products and services. Typically these publications will employ:

Manufacturers

There are many companies that manufacture products used at the Dental Practice. These range from specific items, such as the materials and equipment used by the Dentist in their actual treatments, to the more general consumable material used within the Dental Trade. These companies will all have the usual roles associated with manufacturing, for example:

Dental Dealers

Most manufacturing companies supply their products via what is described as the 'trade channel'. Manufacturers supply their products to this trade channel, known as "Dealers", who in turn sell them to Dental Practices. The Dealers' role is to warehouse stock, market to the dental practice and sell, utilising direct and indirect sales teams. Roles associated within Dental Dealers are:

Please download our 'Career Opportunities in Dentistry' booklet (PDF — 232KB) for more information.