Wendy Lee, left, one of the new graduates, putting her new skills into practice at the Bristol Dental Hospital.

All six students on Bristol Dental Hospital's first course for orthodontic therapists, launched in October last year, have qualified. The course involves a four-week programme taught by consultant orthodontists, plus a placement in which students treat patients supervised by a specialist orthodontist trainer.

Sarah Bain, head of DCP training, said: ‘I'm delighted to see the first orthodontic therapists qualify. This will make a significant impact on the number of patients accessing orthodontic care.’