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With skill mix being hailed as the new way of working for the NHS, does dental therapy really benefit? Or is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing? On one hand, we are hearing more than ever about prevention, access, workforce pressures, skill mix and reform. Dental therapists are finally being recognised within NHS policy conversations…
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Communication is often spoken about as an adjunct to clinical care – Cat Edney explains why it should be at the very heart of modern dentistry. Communication is discussed as an added extra: something that improves the patient experience, softens difficult conversations or helps to build rapport. In reality, communication is far more fundamental than…
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Dentistry shares insights on topics such as dentistry beyond the classroom, integrating skill mix and promoting prevention from the recent North of England Dentistry Show panel discussion with Cat Edney. This year’s North of England Dentistry Show presented sessions that explored the innovations, mindsets and models shaping the profession’s future. In a Future Health panel discussion, dental therapist Cat Edney offered a candid and thought-provoking perspective on prevention, workforce structure and the…
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Dental therapy is finally poised for success through training, regulation and clinical potential, says Cat Edney, but how can we take advantage of this opportunity most effectively? Dental therapy in the UK is often described as an established profession, but the reality is that the model of practice we recognise today is still remarkably young.…
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Cat Edney considers examples from Africa, Oceania and Canada to determine how global approaches to dental therapy differ from the UK. Having recently jetted off to Tanzania with Bridge2Aid, how could I not write about the amazing insights I have had into dental therapy outside of the UK, and the lessons we can bring back…
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Cat Edney explains how dental practices can implement a shared care model to relieve pressure on dentists and ensure the right clinician is utilised at the right time. Dental practices across the UK are facing increasing pressure from rising patient demand, workforce challenges, extended waiting times and inefficiencies in traditional dentist-led workflows. To remain sustainable…
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As we move into 2026, Cat Edney evaluates the state of modern dental therapy – from increasing opportunities to the best courses and training available. If you’d asked me 10 years ago whether dental therapy would be having the moment it is now, I’m not sure I’d have answered with quite the confidence I feel…
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‘Modern techniques, evolving technologies, and future role expansion’ – Cat Edney considers the impact of changes to the General Dental Council’s (GDC) scope of practice guidance for dental therapists. When I first delved into the GDC’s 2025 Scope of Practice document and the accompanying Consultation Outcome Report, I held my breath for change. What I…
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With long days, tricky working relationships and high pressure, it can be hard to maintain your passion for dental therapy – Cat Edney explains how you can find it again. Training to be a dental therapist has become harder in recent years. With fierce competition for university places, entry requirements and application standards are constantly…
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Cat Edney explores four key remuneration models for how dental therapists can be paid across both NHS and private dentistry. The question of how dental therapists are paid is one that comes up often – and with the expansion of direct access, therapy-led care, and the evolution of the therapist’s role in practice, it’s becoming…
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Material selection is key to successful outcomes – Cat Edney introduces four essential restorative materials that she uses in practice. Award-winning dental therapist and founder of The Modern Therapist Cat Edney is no stranger to furthering the skills of clinicians and dental therapists. She introduces them to the most advanced and clinically proven restorative materials…
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How can a dental therapist make the leap to become a practice owner? Cat Edney speaks to Eleanor Cowlam to get her advice. I was delighted to be introduced to dental therapist and practice owner Eleanor Cowlam at the Dentistry Awards in June. Eleanor instantly blew me away with her passion and drive, and the…
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Understanding and recognition of dental therapy have come far in recent years, says Cat Edney, but how can the increased attention be used to maximise its potential in practice? When I first began writing this column, I was frequently asked why we needed to ‘explain’ dental therapy at all. Even within the profession, it often…
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What benefits does the new Varios Combi Pro2 bring to ultrasonic and powder therapy? Cat Edney shares her thoughts. As a dental hygienist and dental therapist I’m delighted to have been one of the first clinicians in the UK to use NSK’s new combined ultrasonic and powder therapy device, the Varios Combi Pro2. I’ve been…
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Cat Edney shares how dental practice The Gentle Touch’s switch to a therapist-led model transformed its workflow, patient care and profitability. I recently caught up with Amber Aplin, the owner of The Gentle Touch, Kelso, after she had spent a number of months flipping her practice to a dental therapy-led model. Of course, I was hugely…
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Cat Edney explores how unclear regulatory language and semantic ambiguity are impacting dental therapists – especially around scope of practice and chairside support. Over my twenty years of seeing patients, and more recently spending time with multiple thought leaders in dentistry, I have come to the realisation that making yourself fully understood is an absolutely…
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Thinking of becoming a therapy-led practice? Cat Edney shares an essential, practical tool to simplify referrals, boost collaboration and support a smooth transition. Becoming a therapy-led practice isn’t as simple as making a decision to become therapy-led – no matter how determined a business owner may be. There are multiple hurdles and considerations along the…
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Cat Edney explores how mentorship shapes dental therapists’ growth, sharing insights from two professionals with diverse experiences. The journey of a dental therapist is rarely linear. It is shaped by unique experiences, professional challenges and the evolving role we play within modern dental teams. While some therapists find themselves in well-structured, supportive environments, others struggle…
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Cat Edney looks back on 20 years of Valentine’s Day patients, and the highs and lows of a relationship with dental therapy. As we started 2025, a realisation dawned on me. This year marks twenty years of seeing patients (I still had to double check this because I am sure I didn’t hit 30, and…
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