Dental Therapist

Job overview
Dental therapy as a career is a fairly recent innovation catering for people who rely on public health services for their dental care.

Dental therapists are mainly involved in preventive dentistry.

What do people do in this job?
Dental therapists work mainly in clinics and may also visit schools.

They can work independently, or in a team with an oral hygienist and a dentist.

They carry out most of the basic dental procedures including:-

• Dental examinations of patients.
• Identifying and diagnosing the more serious conditions and referring them to dentists.
• Preventive procedures against the most common oral and dental diseases, thus restricting gum and tooth decay.
• Simple fillings and extractions.
• Taking X-rays.
• Cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth.
• Educating people about oral health.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Dental therapists need good eyesight, manual dexterity and to be able to handle delicate instruments with care and precision.

They should relate well to people.

What qualifications are needed?
Good school-leaving results in science subjects plus specific post-school qualifications in dental therapy.