Dental Technologists Association

History

The association began life as the Dental Technicians Education and Training Advisory Board (DTETAB) and was established by the General Dental Council (GDC). The remit of DTETAB was to review and make recommendations about the education and training of dental technicians, the suitability of that training and how it would fit with the demands of providing dental services. The other main role for DTETAB was maintaining a Voluntary Register of Dental Technicians, which served as the precursor to the GDC statutory register. The inaugural meeting of the Board took place in January 1986 and was chaired by Margaret Seward (later Dame Margaret Seward). The GDC was only actively involved for the first three years and DTETAB became an independent professional body in 1989 with Colin Lee, a dental technician and laboratory owner from north west England, as chairman. Ray Cox was appointed as registrar and served until his retirement in 1992 when he was succeeded by Sue Adams.

Anticipating a slightly different role post statutory registration, DTETAB became the Dental Technicians Association in 2002. The final name change came in 2006 when the association became the Dental Technologists Association.

Offices

The headquarters of the DTA is based at F13a Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Waterwells Business Park, Gloucester GL2 2AT. The Chief Executive of the association is Sue Adams, who is responsible for the office, administration and support to the council and provides the first point of contact for members.

Council

The DTA council is the governing body of the association. James Green is president, Delroy Reeves is deputy president and former president Tony Griffin is treasurer. Other council members include immediate past president Mike McGlynn, past president John Stacey as well as Gregg Clutton, Andrea Johnson, Nargisa Rikena, Gerrard Starnes, Jack Thurkettle and Magda Zarnowiecka. Student representatives are Jelena Greb and Chris Keating.

Aims

The objectives of the DTA are:

DTA Fellowships

Fellowship of the DTA is awarded for outstanding contribution to dental technology. Recipients should have maintained the dignity of the dental technology profession over a period of time, striven to enhance the recognition, evidence and education of dental technology and have the majority support of the DTA Council. Fellows are entitled to the postnominal FDTA.

The Technologist

The Technologist is the official DTA journal. Published bimonthly, The Technologist aims to raise awareness, educate, engage and showcase information, products and services relevant to members. The journal is edited by Vikki Harper.

Articulate

Articulate is a bimonthly electronic newsletter and distributed to all DTA members. This publication is edited by Ian Simpson.