32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists' offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.
Profile
Index of titles
Community dental hygienist
Dental hygiene technician
Dental hygienist
Dental hygienist technician
Dental nurse
Dental therapist
Expanded duty dental hygienist
Expanded duty dental nurse
Licensed dental therapist
Orthodontic hygienist
Periodontal hygienist
Registered dental hygienist
Registered dental therapist
Restorative dental hygienist
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Dental hygienists
Conduct patient screening and oral health assessments, including taking vital signs and documenting patient medical and health history
Take dental impressions
Take and develop X-rays
Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
Consult with dentists on patient care
May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
May participate in community- or school-based oral health initiatives such as oral screening.
Dental therapists
Perform routine dental check-ups, oral cancer examinations and emergency dental examinations
Take dental impressions
Take and develop X-rays
Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
Perform routine teeth restorations and uncomplicated extractions and provide post extraction oral care instructions
Refer patients to other dental professionals for care beyond the scope of the dental therapist
Provide oral health promotion activities
May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions.
Employment requirements
Completion of a two- to three-year college dental hygiene program, approved by the governing board within the province or territory of residence, is usually required for dental hygienists.
Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma from an approved dental institution program.
Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.
Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Additional information
Exclusions
Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (33100)
Denturists (32110)
Dental technologists and technicians (32112)
Dentists (31110)
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