OccupationDENTISTA dentist is trained to diagnose and treat teeth, gums, soft tissues of the mouth and to use a range of surgical and clinical procedures, including:

• Consulting with patients about maintaining good oral health

• Examinations

• X-ray taking

• Teeth cleaning

• Repairing decayed or broken teeth

• Applying anaesthetics

• Performing surgical operations

• Constructing and fitting dentures, crowns and bridges.

Further studies lead to specialty areas of orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, paediatric dentistry, endodontics or special needs dentistry.

How do I become..?DENTISTCompletion of a five year degree of Bachelor of Dental Science.

Areas of study include:

• Anatomy

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Microbiology

• Pathology

• Pharmacy

• Neuroscience

TCE subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English.

Commonwealth Scholarships are available to rural and remote students. (Tasmania is considered to be both).

C a r e e r s i n o r a l h e a l t h>> Depar tment of Heal th and Human Ser v ices

>> Make a career move and enquire now

>> www.dhhs.tas.gov.au

C a r e e r s i n o r a l h e a l t h

OccupationDENTAL THERAPISTA Dental Therapist or Oral Health Therapist provides a range of dental care to children up to age 18, including:

• Examinations and diagnosis of dental decay and oral health needs

• Health education and promotion• X-rays and impressions• Fillings• Extractions of first (deciduous) teeth• Referral to other dental providers for more complex care.

DENTAL HYGIENISTA Dental Hygienist uses preventative, educational and therapeutic methods to control oral disease and help their patients achieve and maintain a health standard of oral health.

They diagnose the severity and nature of gum conditions and plan and undertake a range of treatments.

They manage prevention of dental and gum diseases through oral health promotion and education.

Work closely with a dentist to provide care for the client.

DENTAL TECHNICIAN OR PROSTHETISTA dental technician constructs and repairs dentures and other dental appliances, including:

• crowns and bridges• mouthguards• braces.

A technician needs a high degree of technical ability, including:

• Plaster casting• Metal casting and polishing• Wax modelling• Ceramics.

A dental prosthetist does all of the above plus completes a further two years of training to enable them to undertake clinical work directly with patients and to specialise and work with oral surgeons.

DENTAL ASSISTANTA Dental Assistant supports dental clinicians in providing clinical care and dental education including:

o Preparing, maintaining and managing surgeries

o Recording dental examinations

o Managing stores

o Preparing and providing equipment, dental materials and instruments for each patient

o Sterilising and maintaining equipment and instruments

o Recording dental charts, recording and making appointments and assisting with enquiries.

How do I become..?DENTAL THERAPISTCompletion of a three year degree in Oral Health Therapy.

Completion of the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT).

Prerequisites include Biology and English.

Oral Health Services Tasmania currently provides a limited number of scholarships for Tasmanian students to complete this degree course and offers employment in Tasmania on completion of the degree.

DENTAL HYGIENISTCompletion of a three year degree in Oral Health Therapy (Hygiene)

Some capacity to undertake the study through TAFE dependant on courses available.

Completion of the UMAT

Pre-requisites include English and Biology.

DENTAL TECHNICIAN OR PROSTHETISTTo be a technician you need to complete a four year apprenticeship in dental technology which includes on the job learning in a clinical setting and a theoretical component through an organisation such as RMIT.

To become a prosthetist a further two years part time is required.

Oral Health Services Tasmania currently offers a limited number of traineeships in Dental Technology.

DENTAL ASSISTANTCompletion of a one year Certificate III in Dental Assisting through a traineeship with TAFE or other provider which includes:

• On the job training with a host organisation in a clinical setting

• Completion of theoretical component through TAFE or other provider.

Oral Health Services Tasmania hosts a number of traineeships in Dental Assisting each year at clinics throughout the state, and offers employment in many cases on completion of the course.