The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD), the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT), the British Society of Special Care Dentistry (BSSCD), and the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry (SAAD) have officially joined forces.
These four powerhouse organisations released a landmark Joint Statement on the Role of Dental Therapists in General Anaesthesia (GA) Settings.
This isn’t just another PDF for the archives; it’s a strategic move to tackle the UK’s staggering dental waiting lists while ensuring patient safety remains the “North Star” of the profession.
The core of the statement clarifies exactly how Dental Therapists (DTs) can—and should—be utilised within a General Anaesthesia environment to streamline care for vulnerable children and adults with complex needs.
1. Scope of Practice & Empowering the Team
The societies agree that DTs are fully permitted to perform procedures within their defined GDC scope under GA. This includes:
Restorative care (fillings).
Extractions of primary (baby) teeth.
Placement of pre-formed metal crowns.
2. Strict Supervision Frameworks
To maintain safety, the statement outlines clear “rules of engagement”:
Paediatric Patients: DTs can deliver care within their full scope, provided there is immediate and robust supervision by a dentist or specialist.
Adult Special Care: For patients with complex needs or those requiring “best interests” decisions, the DT must never operate independently. A second dentist or consultant must be present to agree on the treatment plan and intervene if unplanned events occur.
3. Mandatory Training & Governance
The organisations have set a high bar for competency. Any DT working in a GA setting must now demonstrate:
Completed training in GA protocols and theatre etiquette.
Medical emergency proficiency (Immediate Life Support for both adults and children).
Rigorous understanding of consent processes and surgical safety checklists.
The timing of this release is critical. As of early 2026, many NHS trusts are still grappling with GA waiting lists that were exacerbated by the pandemic. “Maximising the expertise of dental therapists… is timely and important,” noted Professor Adrian Thorp, Chair of the working group and Clinical Director/Executive Board Member for Community Dental Services CIC.
By allowing Dental Therapists to handle the “bread and butter” restorative work under GA, specialist dentists and consultants are freed up to manage more complex surgical cases, effectively increasing the “throughput” of theatre lists without compromising the quality of care.
“This joint statement represents a significant step forward for patients and the dental professions. It brings together the perspectives of multiple specialist and professional bodies to provide clear, practical guidance on how dental therapists can be safely and effectively integrated into GA services.
At a time of increasing demand and workforce pressure, this collaborative approach supports better use of skills across the dental team while maintaining strong governance, appropriate supervision and the highest standards of patient care.”
British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) said: “BADT welcomes this clarification of Scope of Practice for dental therapists. This will enhance the role they already fulfil in multidisciplinary teams and improve capacity for patient care.”
British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) commented: “BSPD fully supports the GDC sharing this joint statement with registrants, as dental therapists have not traditionally worked in GA settings, and clear, practical expectations are needed as services begin to use their skills in this context.
“This clarity will help ensure that any extension of dental therapists’ contribution under GA happens safely and consistently, giving confidence that practice remains within scope, and is supported by appropriate supervision and governance.”
Dr Oosh Devalia, President, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) said: “BSPD welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on this joint statement with the British Association of Dental Therapists, the British Society of Special Care Dentistry, and the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry. Together, we are providing up-to-date, practical guidance to support the dental profession in improving care for patients undergoing treatment under general anaesthesia.
“We strongly support the full utilisation of the whole dental workforce, including empowering dental therapists to play a key role in enhancing care for children undergoing general anaesthesia.
“It remains unacceptable that the leading cause of hospital admission for general anaesthesia among children aged 5 to 9 is for dental extractions. However, while prevention remains our ultimate goal, we must ensure that when children do require treatment under general anaesthesia, they receive the highest standards of safe, effective, and compassionate care.
“It is envisaged that sharing of this scope of practice will support improved access to care, help reduce waiting times, and enable the safe expansion of services.
“BSPD stands ready to support dental teams across the UK in implementing this guidance and improving outcomes for children and young people.”
The Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry (SAAD) said: “The Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry (SAAD) welcomes and supports the new joint statement on integration of dental therapists into general anaesthetic services. This practical step will improve access to comprehensive dental care, particularly for children and patients with additional needs, providing clarity and valuable guidance for dental therapists and their teams.
“It details appropriate supervision for dental therapists working to their full scope, facilitates effective use of GA services and specialist expertise and upholds high safety standards and quality of care for patients.”
British Society of Special Care Dentistry (BSSCD) stated: “BSSCD supports the GDC joint statement on the integration of dental therapists into GA services. This is particularly welcome given the increasing demand for dental care for adult special care patients requiring treatment under general anaesthesia.
“The joint statement needs to be considered in conjunction with the BSSCD guidelines on the use of general anaesthesia in special care dentistry. This statement lends clarity to the scope of practice and governance frameworks to ensure that dental therapists can practice in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.”
