Welcome to Devonshire House Dental Laboratory

Defining the role of the Clinical Dental Technician

CDT’s are Clinical Dental Technicians who have undergone intensive extra training lasting several years this far exceeds the training of a normal dental technician. Their position as a CDT allows them to offer patients direct treatment for removable dentures and mouthguards.

Along with performing clinical and technical skills in relation to dentures they have also had further training in clinical examinations. This allows them to search for oral abnormalities and if found, these can be referred to other health care professionals.

Although CDT’s can work independently, they also work closely with dentists to confer treatment plans for the best interest to the patient. This is one of the core values the General Dental Council insist all health care professionals work towards.

Paul Walkington Devonshire House’s lead CDT says , ‘The role of the Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) falls between that of a dentist who would usually take the patient’s impressions, and that of a dental technician who would receive the impressions from a dentist and then make the dentures (usually for patients they have never actually seen themselves). As the CDT we do both roles, taking the impression and make as well as fit the dentures.’

Paul goes on to say, ‘We will look to construct aesthetically pleasing dentures with comfort and function.  We are very aware we are not only replacing lost teeth, but also compensating for bone loss and very often sunken facial profiles, which can age patients up to 10 years prematurely. Careful, calculated consideration of each individual’s anatomy is essential for outstanding results to be gained in this delicate area’.

Registered CDTs are legally qualified to give oral examinations and to check that the mouth is in a healthy state, along with the taking of impressions of the edentulous mouth (no teeth) which enables the production of high quality dentures. It is, however, illegal for regular dental technicians to offer this service and anybody who has dealt with a dental technician direct for the provision of dentures, should seek an oral examination as soon as possible from a suitably qualified and registered dental care professional as your health could be at risk.

During your first consultation we will undertake a detailed evaluation, enabling us to create a detailed treatment plan just for you.

This may include:

Taking details about your dental and medical history
X-rays and photographic images of your mouth
Full clinical assessment and oral examination of current oral health, including natural tooth loss
Advice on helping you achieve optimum oral health

We will then run through the different types of dentures available and procedures involved, along with costs so you can make an informed choice about the treatment you receive. Then either at this stage or at a later date you and our Clinical Dental Technician can then decide on the right plan of action.

Do I need to see a Dentist or can I see a Clinical Dental Technician (or both)?

A CDT can directly treat, create and fit a complete set of dentures to patients who have experienced total tooth loss. If you are looking for partial dentures, as you have some of your own natural teeth remaining or you have had a dental implant, you must first be seen or referred by your dentist before treatment can begin.

Patients presenting with natural teeth will be advised to visit a dentist for an oral examination/check-up where an appropriate treatment plan can then be formulated in conjunction with the CDT.