Dental Assistant or Dental
Nurse
Dental Hygienist
Dental Specialist
Dental Technician
Dental
Therapist
Forensic Dentist/Forensic Odontologist
Orthodontist
Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
Dentists take care of patients'
teeth and gums by diagnosing and treating injuries, problems and
abnormalities. Their wide range of duties includes repairing or removing
broken and decayed teeth,
treating infections and diseases of the roots or
nerves, and cleaning teeth. Other tasks may include the design and fitting
of dental crowns, bridges or dentures.
ANZSCO ID & Description: 252312: Diagnoses and treats dental disease, injuries, decay and malformations of the teeth, periodontal tissue (gums), hard and soft tissue found on the mouth and other dento-facial structures using surgery and other techniques. Registration or licensing is required.
Specialisations:
-
Endodontist:
An endodontist diagnoses and treats diseases and injuries to the soft
tissues within the hollow core of the tooth.
-
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeon:
An oral/maxillofacial surgeon surgically treats diseases and abnormalities
of the mouth and adjacent parts.
-
Orthodontist: An orthodontist diagnoses and treats badly aligned teeth and jaws.
-
Paediatric Dentist:
A paediatric dentist deals with children's dental health.
-
Periodontist:
A periodontist prevents and treats diseases of the gums and supporting
tissues.
-
Prosthodontist:
A prosthodontist restores and/or replaces teeth and their associated parts.
-
Public Health Dentist:
A public health dentist works with the community, researching and
facilitating community dental programs.
- Special Needs Dentist: A special needs dentist treats patients with conditions which require special techniques to manage dental problems.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A dentist needs:
- patience and understanding
- the ability to undertake detailed work
- high levels of concentration
- good communication skills
- good organisational
skills.
(Source:
Dental Care Glebe)
Duties and Tasks
Dentists may perform the following tasks:
Working
conditions Tools and technologies Personal
Requirements:
Dentists work mainly in public or private dental clinics. Hours can
vary according to the opening times of the clinic in which dentists are
employed. Some dentists may be on-call 24 hours a day to attend to emergency
dental work. Demand for dentists in Australia is high, with some being
required to help in remote areas when necessary. A dentist’s work
environment needs to be highly sterile to prevent infection to clients and
themselves.
Dentists work with a large range of dental tools and equipment,
such as drills, mouth mirrors, retractors, syringes and x-ray machines. Such
equipment must always be clean and sterile to prevent the incidence or
spread of infection.
Education and
training/entrance requirements
To become a dentist, you must complete a bachelor degree in any discipline
and then complete postgraduate study in dentistry.
The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) usually takes four years to complete.
Entry requirements include the completion of a bachelor degree in any
discipline. You must also sit the Graduate Australian Medical Schools
Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and attend an interview.
Graduates must be registered with the Dental Board of Australia to be able
to practice dentistry in Australia.
|
Did You Know? Ockham's Razor - 6 February 2023  11 minutes Why are Dentists envious of rat, shark or snail teeth? Turns out, they all have characteristics that could be used as inspiration for human dentistry. Dentist Greg Miller explores the future of dentistry and what we can learn from the animal world. Speaker: Greg Miller Founder, Australian Dental Foundation Key Points The humble snail has up to 20K teeth! The limpet has particular interest to Dentists because it has the strongest teeth and indeed the strongest biological material in the world even stronger than titaniun implants. Rats are monophyodont - they have one set of teeth. In contrast, humans are diphyodont, developing two successive sets of teeth known as deciduous and permanent. In rodents, both the top and bottom incisors grow continuously throughout life. [How would knowing about this growth help Dentists?] Sharks - a Nurse Shark only takes 9 days to generate a new tooth! Listen to the rest of the podcast!  What did you learn from this Podcast? |
Dental specialists are dentists who specialise and practise in a
particular area of dentistry. They diagnose and treat diseases, injuries
and irregularities of the teeth and structures of the mouth.
ANZSCO ID & description:
252311: Diagnoses and treats diseases,
injuries, irregularities and malformations of teeth and associated
structures in the mouth and jaw using surgery and other specialist
techniques. Registration or licensing is required.
Specialisations:
They can specialise in areas such as
-
periodontics – preventing and treating diseases of the gums and supportive tissues;
-
prosthodontics – restoring and replacing teeth and gums;
-
orthodontics – diagnosing and treating badly aligned teeth and jaws;
-
paediatric dentistry – the treatment of dental diseases in infants and children.
-
special needs dentistry,
-
oral surgery,
-
oral pathology or
-
public health dentistry.
| Did You
Know? What is the difference between Periodontists and Endodontists? Like periodontists, endodontists are dental specialists. Endodontists also undergo two to four years education on top of their dentistry degree to specialize in endodontics. General dentistry addresses and mitigates problems with the tooth and tooth structure. Endodontics address the tooth’s inner tissues/structure (pulp) and down through the tooth’s roots. As an example, endodontists are consulted when a patient presents with abnormal root structures or problems deep within a tooth. Being experts of the inner tooth, endodontists also commonly specialize and excel in root canal procedures.  Periodontists differ from dentists by specializing in the tissue/structures around and beneath the teeth. So from the outside in, dentists specialize in tooth care, endodontists specialize in inner-tooth interventions, and periodontists specialize in deep tissue (gum, ligament, and bone structure) interventions. (Source: Envision Dental) |
Knowledge, skills and attributes
Duties and Tasks
Because they have undergone additional training, a dental
specialist is expected to have advanced skills and knowledge of his or
her area of expertise, along with full knowledge of general dentistry.
The job duties for each specialty differ considerably. For example, oral
surgeons perform tooth extractions and reconstructive surgery,
endodontists commonly perform root canals and other procedures
pertaining to the inside of teeth, and periodontists treat gum-related
diseases.
Additionally, dental specialists are generally required to prepare
patients and equipment for surgery, perform regular maintenance of
dental apparatuses, complete some administrative duties and properly
dispose of waste materials.
- Using oral exams, a patient's medical history, X-rays and tests to diagnose dental disease
- Explaining to patients why a particular course of action is necessary and the ways to prevent a recurrence of the condition being treated
- Providing preventive care via teeth cleaning, application of fluoride and other pharmaceutical interventions
- Restoring teeth using crowns, veneers, fillings and the like
- Replacing lost teeth with crowns and dentures
- Oral surgery e.g., the removal of wisdom teeth
- Supervising treatments by allied dental staff such as hygienists and prosthetists
- Writing of prescriptions to help in the control of pain and disease management
- Oversight of the day to day management of your dental practice.
Working conditions
Dental specialists may work in private consultation practices or public
dental centres, or both. They may work as part of a team with
anaesthetists, dental technicians and
dental assistants.
Dental specialists work in completely sterile rooms and must wear
sterile and protective clothing to prevent infection to clients and
themselves.
Tools and technologies
Dental specialists use a range of instruments that are common to
dentistry as well as instruments that are used in their specialty. They
may use pliers, probes, tweezers, scalpels, anaesthetic syringes,
surgical scissors, mouth retractors, bone rongeurs, X-rays and mouth
props. Depending on the procedure that they are performing, dental
specialists must also wear sterile protective equipment such as gloves,
masks and gowns to prevent contamination.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a dental specialist you must first become a qualified dentist
and then undertake further training in the speciality in which you wish
to work.
The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is offered by
some Australian universities and usually takes four years to complete. Entry
requirements include completion of a bachelor degree in any discipline.
You must also sit the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions
Test (GAMSAT) and attend an interview. Contact the university you are
interested in for more
information.
On completion of your postgraduate dental degree, you must register with
the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) to complete
further training in the speciality in which you wish to work, and
ultimately receive fellowship.
Graduates must be registered with the Dental Board of Australia to be
able to practise dentistry in Australia.
Odontology is the science of teeth. Odontologists study how they are
structured, how they develop, and the various diseases that affect them.
The term "forensics" means "of or having to do with questions of law."
Forensic odontology is the application of an odontologist's work toward
the legal sphere, such as in criminal cases.
Highly trained dental specialists who participate in criminal
investigations
are called forensic odontologists. They help identify the source of
dental evidence. This can involve making molds of teeth impressions so
that they can identify who left those marks. In their role they may also
extract saliva that can be used as evidence or to provide DNA. In some
cases they may be required to attend autopsies when conventional
identification methods are not feasible. In these cases they may be
responsible for taking X-rays and creating a detailed report on the
person's teeth. This can involve measuring teeth size and identifying
dental implants or dental work that has been done.
Forensic odontologists may also be involved with other types of criminal
investigations. They may perform examinations to identify injuries that
a person has received as the result of abuse or assault. They may also
play a role in identifying the victims of disasters or terrorist
attacks. Forensic odontologists may be required to testify in court. As
part of their duties they also photograph teeth and relevant evidence,
such as bite marks.
Sometimes there's very little traceable evidence left to identify a
victim or a suspect when a particularly gruesome crime occurs. Forensic
odontologists are called upon by detectives and investigators to provide
crucial clues whenever dental evidence is available.
Various unique dental characteristics have been used over the centuries
to help identify human remains.
Did You
Know? The discipline of forensic odontology involves the application of extensive dental specific knowledge to legal and criminal issues. The work focuses primarily on human identification, disaster victim identification, age assessment and examination of bite marks. There are opportunities to conduct research in the areas specific to forensic odontology, but also related legal and forensic areas. (Source: AMA) |
ANZSCO ID: 252311
Knowledge, skills and attributes
In addition to education and forensic training,
forensic odontologists can excel in their jobs when they possess
additional soft skills, such as the following:
- Communication skills: The job may require written reports and court testimony, and teamwork alongside specialists and law-enforcement officials.
- Critical thinking skills: Forensic odontologists may need to use their best judgment to match teeth and other physical characteristics to victims or suspects.
- Problem-solving skills: Individuals use tests and other methods to assist in solving crimes.
- Maths and science skills: Statistics and natural science knowledge play a large part in analyzing evidence.
- Fine motor skills: Those interested in entering the field of odontology should have excellent fine motor skills. The job requires precision, sometimes under adverse circumstances.
Duties and Tasks
- Attend accident or crime scenes: They can be called upon to assist in a number of cases including child abuse, murder, rape, and battery. They're called to the scenes of mass fatalities, such as plane crashes, to attempt to identify victims' remains.
- Attend autopsies: Forensic odontologists attend autopsies where they take plastic molds, photographs, X-rays, and measurements. They compare these to the dental records of missing persons to make proper identification.
- Collect evidence: Odontologists collect dental evidence from a variety of sources and use it to identify both victims and suspects. They can use it to determine a victim's likely age. Assailants might bite their victims. They'll leave impression evidence that a forensic odontologist can compare against samples from suspects to help identify the attacker. An odontologist can also help to determine whether bite marks are offensive or defensive.
- Analyze and observe evidence: Forensic odontologists operate under the assumption that teeth are unique to each individual. This is displayed in the way they're arranged in the mouth, how they wear down over time, the imprints they leave, and other characteristics such as bridges, dentures, braces, fillings, and crowns.
Did You
Know? (Source: Forensic Dentistry) There is no database of teeth that corresponds with databases of fingerprints or DNA, so dental records are how forensic dentists identify the dead. Tooth enamel (the outer layer of teeth) is harder than any other substance in the human body, which is why teeth remain long after all other parts have decayed. Victims of fires are often identified by their teeth, which can withstand temperatures of more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius). Teeth that have been through especially intense heat are very fragile and may shrink, but they can be preserved with lacquer and used for identification as long as they are handled very carefully. Dental work, such as a partial or gold crown, will be distorted by fire but can still aid in identification. To identify a person from his or her teeth, a forensic dentist must have a dental record or records from the deceased person's dentist. In the case of an incident involving multiple deaths, forensic dentists receive a list of possible individuals and compare available records with the teeth and find a match. Examining the teeth of an intact corpse often requires working in a morgue to expose the jaws surgically. Even if only a few teeth are available, a forensic dentist can still make a positive identification. The best comparisons come from X-rays, but even if those aren't available, notations on the tooth chart can tell the dentist if the teeth are the same. (Source: How stuff works) |
Working conditions
The cases that forensic odontologists help to investigate are often violent, gruesome, and disturbing. Entering into the practice is certainly not for the faint of heart and, in fact, it can be quite emotionally disturbing.
Most forensic odontologists work for state or local government entities, may need to travel to crime or accident scenes, and must work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
Forensic odontologists may work in a regular dental practice and provide services as needed for investigations. They may also work full-time in a laboratory or office. The hours for this job are often irregular and exhausting.
Call-outs are not limited to regular nine-to-five schedules, and odontologists often find themselves working day and night, sometimes for extended periods of time in the event of natural disasters.
Education and training/entrance requirements
Forensic odontologists must be educated as dentists, and then receive additional training to address the needs of the forensic component of the job.
Dental therapists diagnose dental decay and gum disease in children and
adults, under the supervision of a dentist. They are also involved in
oral health education with children, parents and the community. They
perform routine dental treatment under the supervision of a dentist,
including examination, cleaning, scaling and filling cavities. They also
may take x-rays and take impressions for mouth guards. They refer more
complex dental problems to the dentist.
ANZSCO ID & description:
411214: Examines and treats diseases of the teeth
in
preschool, primary and secondary school children under the general
supervision of a Dentist. Registration or
licensing is required.
Specialisations: Dental Hygienist, Oral Health Therapist,
Therapist (Dental)
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A dental therapist needs:
- good verbal and written communication skills
- good hand-eye coordination
- to be able to complete precise and detailed work
- to be able to establish good rapport with children
- to be able to work as part of a team.
(Source:
Smile
Concepts)
Duties and Tasks
- Provides educational programmes to motivate children, parents and the community in matters relating to oral health.
- Provides fluoride therapy by applying re-mineralising solutions and desensitising agents.
- Removes deposits from teeth - deciduous treatments
- Applies non-invasive fissure sealants to teeth.
- Takes impressions of the mouth.
- Takes dental radiographs.
- Stain removal
- Periodontal treatments
- Amalgam restorations
- Composite restorations including the Bioclear Method
Working conditions
Dental therapists work normal working hours, Monday to Friday. Dental
therapists employed in the public sector may have to relocate to a
regional area.
Tools and technologies
Dental therapists typically use x-ray equipment and a variety of
hand-powered tools specially designed for teeth, for example drills and
polishers.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a dental therapist you usually have to study oral
health at university.
|
Did You Know? Sugar was first added to chewing gum in 1869 . . . by a dentist! ( William Semple)
"In a study published in
the American Journal of Public Health this month [January 2013],
researchers from the Australian Centre for Population Oral Health at
the University of Adelaide looked at the consumption of sweet drinks
and fluoridated water by more than 16,800 Australian children. |
Dental technicians construct and repair dentures
(false teeth) and other dental appliances, including crowns, bridges and
orthodontic appliances. Dental technicians work from a prescription,
usually written by a dentist, and create or repair dentures and other
dental appliances. These can be made using a variety of materials
including plastic, metal
and ceramics. They are made using various
technical skills, including plaster casting, electro-spot welding, metal
casting, metal bending, metal polishing, wax modelling, ceramics,
electroplating and sandblasting. Dental technicians do not usually
interact with customers.
ANZSCO ID & description:
411213: Constructs and
repairs dentures and other dental appliances. Registration or licensing
may be required.
Alternative names: Dental Mechanic, Prosthetist
(Dental), Technician (Dental)
Specialisations: Crown and Bridge, Dental Laboratory
Assistant, General prosthesis, Maxillo-facial, Orthodontics
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A dental technician needs:
(Source: Dental Labs)
Duties and Tasks
As a dental technician, you could specialise within one of four
key areas, which are:
- Orthodontics – creating plastic or metal devices, such as braces, to straighten teeth
- Crown and bridge work – constructing items which can be cemented in place
- P rosthetics – producing plastic dentures or implants, some of which have metal inserts to help keep them straight
- Maxillo-facial prosthetics – helping to reconstruct the faces of people damaged by accident or disease.
Working conditions
Dental technicians may work alone or in a small group in a laboratory.
They usually work regular work hours. Dental technicians work with
highly specialised equipment and various chemicals, which they need to
be careful with when handling.
You could work in a variety of settings, including private dental labs,
government hospital dental facilities or the armed forces. In a private
dental lab, you would create devices and appliances for a number of
dental practices covering a wide geographical area. In a hospital
setting, you might help dental surgeons by designing and building
artificial parts for patients with facial injuries, cancer or cleft
palate.
You would usually work around 40 hours a week.
In a commercial laboratory you might cover slightly longer hours and
overtime may be available.
You would usually be based in a lab, working alone or
as part of a team. If you are working in a hospital setting, you will
have direct contact with dental and oral surgeons, and occasionally
patients.
Tools and technologies
You would work with a wide range of materials such as
gold, porcelain and plastic to design and make specialist devices to
suit patients’ needs. You would use the latest techniques, equipment,
instruments, and computer technology to carry out your duties.
Dental technicians are required to use a wide range of tools and
technologies to complete various technical procedures including plaster
casting, electro-spot welding, metal casting, metal polishing, ceramics,
electroplating and sandblasting. Increasingly, Computer-Aided
Design/Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) machines are being used to create some
dental products.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a dental technician you need to complete an apprenticeship
- VET qualification in dental technology.
The dental technician apprenticeship usually takes 48 months to
complete. Entry may require employment in a
dental laboratory for technical and work training.
Alternatively, you can become a dental technician by studying dental
technology at university. Entry into degree courses usually requires you
to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent.English,
biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics would be appropriate
subjects to study prior to university.
Before undertaking clinical placements required by courses, students
will need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid
Certificate, immunisations and a Working with Children Check or
equivalent.
Dental Technician at work
(Source:
Spear Education)
Employment Opportunities
Employment of dental technicians is projected to grow faster
than the average for all occupations.
Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely
continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services, such as
orthodontic devices. As the large baby-boom population ages, and as
people keep more of their original teeth than did previous generations,
the need to maintain and treat teeth will continue to increase the need
for services such as crowns and bridges.
People with new or expanded dental insurance coverage will also be more
likely to visit a dentist than in the past. This will increase the
demand for all dental services, including those performed by dental
technicians.
Dental nurses greet and prepare clients for dental examinations. They
are also responsible for sterilising and preparing dental equipment, and
providing clerical assistance. Most importantly they
assist the dentist
while treatments are being carried out. This will include mixing
materials for fillings, passing the dentist equipment and recording
information as the dentist carries out an examination. Dental nurses
occasionally travel to remote areas to provide dental care and
assistance to children in regional schools and people in remote areas.
ANZSCO ID & description:
Alternative names: Dental Chairside Assistant, Dental Nurse
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A dental nurse needs:
(Source: Hot Courses)
Duties and Tasks
As a dental assistant, you
would:
- greet and prepare patients, sterilise or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentists during dental procedures
- record treatment information in patient records
- take diagnostic x-rays
- take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients
- provide post-operative instructions for patients undergoing general or local anaesthesia
- maintain and restock dental supplies.
Working conditions
Dental nurses may work with only one other person or as part of a team. They may also work under pressure as some treatments may have to be completed within a certain time frame. Generally, dental nurses work within normal business hours Monday to Friday; however, they may be required to work Saturday mornings.
Tools and technologies
Dental nurses work with a variety of equipment including hand pieces and rotary cutting instruments, diagnostic equipment including x-rays and oral surgical instruments. They are required to use personal protective equipment, which is also given to clients. They also need to know how to perform injections and sterilise equipment.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a dental assistant, you usually need to complete a qualification in dental assisting. The Certificate III in Dental Assisting is offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.
You can also complete a Certificate III in Dental Assisting by doing a traineeship. A dental assistant traineeship usually takes 12 to 24 months to complete and is available as a school-based traineeship.
Orthodontists are specialist qualified dentists who diagnose and treat problems with a patient’s jaw alignment and bite pattern.
ANZSCO ID:
252311
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become an orthodontist., you would need:
- a strong academic background and an interest and ability in science
- good eyesight and colour vision
- the ability to carry out delicate work with medical instruments
- the ability to concentrate for long periods
- excellent communication skills to explain treatments to patients
- the ability to put anxious patients at ease.
(Source:
Dunn Orthodontics)
Duties and Tasks
As an orthodontist, you would:
-
take X-rays and give local anaesthetic
-
fit dental aids and hardware such as headgear, braces or retainers
-
remove teeth
-
do small cosmetic procedures
-
provide estimates of treatment costs for patients
-
see patients at regular intervals to monitor progress
-
confer with a patient's regular dentist
-
keep accurate treatment records
-
usually have a particular focus on children and young people.
Working conditions
You would usually work standard hours, Monday to
Friday, although your hours of work will vary depending on the area you
work in. Part-time hours are often possible.
In a hospital setting, you might work more irregular hours, including
night shifts.
Most orthodontists are self-employed and work in private practice. Some
work for dental services for government, hospital or private health care
providers, or in the armed forces. Orthodontists need to be able to sit
and stand comfortably for quite long periods of time.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become an orthodontist you must first complete a bachelor's
degree in dentistry, dental science or dental surgery at university.
After completing your degree, you need 2 years of clinical practice as a
dentist, followed by completion of a further 3-year full-time degree in
orthodontics.
To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your senior
secondary school certificate or equivalent. English, mathematics,
biology, chemistry and physics would be appropriate subjects to study
prior to university. Entry is highly competitive, and you usually need
to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test
(UMAT) and attend a structured interview. You may also be required to
complete a structured oral assessment.
It is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the Dental
Board of Australia before being able to practise as a dentist in any
state or territory in Australia. Orthodontists must register as a
specialist in Orthodontics.
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases
such as gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care. They also
educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.
Dental hygienists assist dentists in providing oral health therapies and education. They consult with dentists to determine the appropriate treatment for patients, but are able to carry out most procedures independently. They examine patients' teeth and gum for signs of disease, remove plaque build-up and stains, and advise patients on how to look after the teeth and gums to maintain oral health. These workers also take x-rays, make impressions of patients' mouths to make mouth guards and study casts, and select, size and remove orthodontic appliances, such as braces. In some cases, dental hygienists may also assist dentists in surgery.
ANZSCO ID: 411211
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become a dental hygienist, you would need:
- an interest and ability in science, anatomy and physiology
- the ability to motivate clients to improve their dental hygiene
- excellent communication skills to explain treatments and put patients at ease
- the confidence to handle equipment
- good eyesight and steady hands for carrying out precision work
- the ability to concentrate for long periods
- good teamwork skills.
(Source:
Foundation Education)
Duties and Tasks
As a dental hygienist, your main role is to encourage patients to look after their teeth and gums. You would also give treatments to patients. You would use a range of dental instruments to:
- remove plaque
- clean and polish teeth to help prevent gum disease
- apply antibacterial treatments to reduce decay
- apply temporary coatings and sealants to protect teeth
- encourage and demonstrate tooth brushing and flossing to individuals and groups.
You would also maintain sterile conditions and occasionally take x-rays. A dental assistant or nurse may support you for some procedures.
Working conditions
You could work in general dental practice,
community dental services and in hospitals.
You would usually work standard hours, with occasional evening and
weekend duties. If you were based at a hospital, you could work
shifts or be on call. Part-time hours and opportunities for
self-employment are often available.
If you worked for a community based dental service, your day-to-day
work would usually involve travelling.
Tools and technologies
Dental hygienists use a range of specialised dental equipment to
look inside the mouth, remove plaque from teeth and help keep the
mouth clear and relatively dry during examinations and procedures.
They must also use sterilising equipment and protective clothing,
such as gloves and a mask. When educating patients about correct
oral health care they use models and charts to demonstrate the
correct brushing and flossing techniques and the effects of
different diseases.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a dental hygienist you usually have
to complete a VET qualification in oral health (dental hygiene) or a
degree in oral health or oral health therapy approved by the Dental
Board of Australia. To get into these courses you usually need to
gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics would be
appropriate subjects to study prior to university.
Before undertaking clinical placements required by courses, students
will need to obtain a Provide First Aid Certificate, a National
Police Certificate, a Working with Children Check or equivalent, and
fulfil immunisation requirements.
It is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the
Dental Board of Australia before practising as a dental hygienist in
any state or territory in Australia.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow much faster than the
average for all occupations.
Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue
to increase the demand for preventive dental services. As the large
baby-boom population ages, and as people keep more of their original teeth
than did previous generations, the need to maintain and treat teeth will
continue to increase the need for dental care.
People with new or expanded dental insurance coverage will also be more
likely to visit a dentist than in the past. This will increase the demand
for all dental services, including those performed by dental hygienists.
Related Jobs or
Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)
Anaesthetist |
Forensic Scientist |
Medical
Laboratory Technician |
Medical Practitioner |
Nutritionist |
Material
sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Dentist;
Dental assistant;
Dental Specialist;
Dental Technician;
Dental Therapist;
Dental Hygienist];
TheBalance [Forensic Odontologist; ]
Best Accrediated Colleges [Dental Specialist; ]
Your Career [Dentist; Dental Specialist (including Orthodontists; ]
