2691 Dental Hygienists, Prosthetists and Therapists
2691 Dental Hygienists, Prosthetists and Therapists
Assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients with oral health disease and removable dental prostheses, prevent oral disease and promote healthy oral behaviours.
OSCA skill level
The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.
- Skill Level 1: Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience
269131 Dental Hygienist
Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and educates to prevent oral disease, and promotes healthy oral behaviours. This may include non-surgical periodontal or gum treatment, preventative services and other oral care.
Registration or licensing is required.
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and records patients' oral health status
- Performs dental cleaning to remove plaque and calculus from teeth
- Applies fluoride treatments and dental sealants
- Takes dental radiographs (X-rays) to assist in diagnosis
- Provides oral hygiene instructions and education to patients
- Performs non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) to treat gum disease
- Collaborates with other dental practitioners to ensure optimal patient care
269132 Dental Prosthetist
Assesses, treats and manages patients for patient-removable prostheses, including implant-retained overdentures and flexible mouthguards for sport.
Registration or licensing is required.
Alternative title
- Clinical Dental Technician
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Assesses, treats and provides removable dentures and dental appliances to patients
- Consults with patients to determine their dental prosthetic needs
- Designs, constructs, fits, adjusts and repairs dentures and mouthguards according to patient specifications
- Takes impressions and records of mouths for the manufacture of splints, stents, sleep apnoea or anti-snoring devices, and immediate dentures
- Provides advice and education on proper care and maintenance of dentures and mouthguards
- Collaborates with other dental practitioners to ensure optimal patient care
269133 Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist
Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and prevents oral health disease, and promotes positive oral health among individuals and the community.
Registration or licensing is required.
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Assesses, diagnoses, treats, manages and prevents oral health disease for patients of all ages
- Provides preventive dental care including oral hygiene instruction, fluoride treatments and sealant application
- Performs non-surgical treatment of gum diseases
- Supports orthodontic procedures
- Performs routine dental procedures such as cleaning and polishing teeth
- Provides education and information to promote positive oral health
- Takes dental radiographs (X-rays) and interprets the results
- Provides restorative dental care including fillings and children's crowns
- Collaborates with other dental practitioners to ensure optimal patient care