33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
Dental assistants assist dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists during the examination and treatment of patients and perform clerical functions. Dental laboratory assistants assist dental technologists and technicians in preparing and fabricating dentures and other dental devices. Dental assistants work in dentists' offices, community health centres, clinics and in educational institutions. Dental laboratory assistants are employed in dental laboratories.
Profile
Index of titles
Ceramic denture caster
Ceramic denture mechanic
Ceramic denture moulder
Certified dental assistant
Certified intra-oral dental assistant
Chair-side assistant - dental
Dental aide
Dental assistant
Dental clinical assistant
Dental laboratory assistant
Dental laboratory bench worker
Dental laboratory technician assistant
Dental technician assistant
Denture bench moulder
Denture finisher
Denture framework finisher
Denture packer
Denture setter
Denture trimmer-polisher
Denture wax pattern former
Intra-oral dental assistant
Licensed dental assistant
Occlusion rim former - dentures
Orthodontic band maker
Plaster moulder - dentures
Preventive dental assistant
Registered dental assistant
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Dental assistants
Prepare patients for dental examination and assist the dentist during examinations and dental treatments
Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment
Prepare dental instruments, fillings, compounds and various dental materials
Take and develop X-rays
Polish teeth and clinical crowns and apply fluoride and sealant
Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts
Educate patients concerning oral hygiene
Perform clerical duties such as prepare invoices, process payments, schedule patient appointments, record dental procedures performed and order dental and office supplies
May perform intra-oral duties such as remove sutures, take and record vital signs, apply desensitizing agents, topical anaesthetic, anticariogenic agents and coronal whitening, fabricate, place, and remove temporary crowns and restorations, and apply and remove rubber dams
May also perform pulp vitality testing as well as periodontal screening and recording.
Dental laboratory assistants
Prepare plaster models and moulds from dental impressions
Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays
Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases
Pack plastic material in moulds to form full or partial dentures
Mould wax over denture set-up to form full contours of artificial gums
Make orthodontic bands from gold, silver, stainless steel or other metals
Finish metal framework of dentures and polish and buff dentures to obtain natural finish.
Employment requirements
Dental assistants require completion of an eight-month to one-year college or other program in dental assistance or completion of secondary school with on-the-job training.
Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces except Quebec and Ontario.
Certification by the National Dental Assisting Examination Board is required to perform intra-oral duties in all provinces except in Quebec, where intra-oral duties are not performed by dental assistants.
Dental laboratory assistants usually require secondary school and up to two years of on-the-job training.
Additional information
Dental laboratory assistants may progress to dental technologist and technician positions with training, experience and registration.
In some provinces there are two levels of dental assistants: Level I - chair-side assistant and Level II - intra-oral assistant. Progression from Level I to Level II is possible with education, training and licensure.
Exclusions
Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
Dental technologists and technicians (32112)
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