32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists

Broad Occupation Category

3 - Health occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major Group

32 – Technical occupations in health

Broad Occupation Category

321 – Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)

Broad Occupation Category

3211 – Technical occupations in dental health care

Other technical workers in therapy and assessment perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may assist professionals such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, community health centres, educational institutions, hearing aid retail stores, in the private practices of the professionals they assist, or they may be self-employed.

Let us help you Apply for Canada PR as Dental hygienists and dental therapists

Example Titles

  • Audiology technician

  • Communicative disorders assistant

  • Hearing instrument practitioner

  • Occupational therapy assistant

  • Ophthalmic technician

  • Ophthalmic technologist

  • Physiotherapy technician

  • Rehabilitation assistant

  • Speech aide

  • Speech technician

  • Speech therapy assistant

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.