National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

3211 - Technical occupations in dental health care

This minor group comprises technical occupations in dental health care, including denturists; dental hygienists and dental therapists; and dental technologists and technicians. They work in private practice; and are employed by dentists' offices, hospitals, and clinics; educational institutions; governments and government agencies; dental laboratories; and in private industry.

32110 - Denturists

Denturists examine patients and design, construct and repair removable dentures. Most denturists work in private practice. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • dental mechanic
    • denturist
    • denturologist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (See 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants)
    • Dental hygienists and dental therapists (See 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists)
    • Dental technologists and technicians (See 32112 Dental technologists and technicians)
    • Dentists (See 31110 Dentists)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Measure patients' jaws to determine size and shape of dentures required
    • Make impressions of patients' teeth, gums and jaws
    • Design and construct dentures or direct other workers to construct dentures
    • Insert, fit and modify new dentures
    • Repair dentures
    • Reline, rebase and adjust dentures
    • Fabricate mouth protectors, anti-snoring prostheses and removable prostheses on implants
    • May order radiographs
    • May prepare partial dentures
    • May perform denture whitening and cleaning.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a two- or three-year college program in denturism/denturology is required.
    • An internship in a registered denture clinic may be required.
    • Licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.

32111 - Dental hygienists and dental therapists

Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists' offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • dental hygienist
    • dental nurse
    • dental therapist
    • registered dental hygienist

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (See 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants)
    • Dental technologists and technicians (See 32112 Dental technologists and technicians)
    • Dentists (See 31110 Dentists)
    • Denturists (See 32110 Denturists)

  • 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.

32112 - Dental technologists and technicians

Dental technologists and technicians design, prepare and fabricate dentures and dental devices as prescribed by dentists and other specialists. They are employed in dental laboratories. Dental technologists and technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • dental technician
    • dental technician supervisor
    • dental technologist
    • registered dental technician (RDT)
    • registered dental technologist (RDT)

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (See 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants)
    • Dental hygienists and dental therapists (See 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists)
    • Denturists (See 32110 Denturists)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Design, fabricate, modify or repair dental devices including full or partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants
    • Ensure proper handling and control of hazardous materials, and adhere to laboratory infection control procedures as required
    • May consult with dentists or other specialists on problematic dental cases
    • May train and supervise other dental technicians and dental laboratory assistants in fabricating dentures and other dental devices
    • May conduct research in the science, techniques and practice of dental technology
    • May perform administrative functions for the dental laboratory.

  • Employment requirements

    • Dental technologists and technicians are required to complete a college program in dental technology or four or more years of on-the-job training under the supervision of a registered dental technologist or technician.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required for dental technologists and technicians in all provinces except in Manitoba and the territories.
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