Cat Edney

Despite policy changes slowly recognising the full potential of dental therapists, many practices continue to rely on outdated ways of working. Cat Edney and Bradley Wilson explain why meaningful change demands systems that allow dental therapy to thrive. One of my favourite things about writing Dental Therapy Explained is the conversations it starts. Every month…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…