National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
3 - Health occupations
32 - Technical occupations in health
322 - Technical occupations in dental health care
3221 - Denturists
Denturists examine patients and design, construct and repair removable dentures. Most denturists work in private practice.
Illustrative example(s)
- dental mechanic
- denturist
- denturologist
Exclusion(s)
- Dental assistants (3411)
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists (3222)
- Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants (3223)
- Dentists (3113)
Main duties
Denturists perform 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.
3222 - Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and information related to the prevention of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth. They are employed in dentists' offices, hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, government agencies and private industry. Dental therapists carry out limited dental services related to the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth. 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
Exclusion(s)
- Dental assistants (3411)
- Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants (3223)
- Dentists (3113)
- Denturists (3221)
Main duties
Dental hygienists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct an initial dental assessment and consult with dentists on patient care
- Take dental impressions
- Instruct patients regarding oral hygiene procedures
- Clean and stimulate the gums to prevent gum disease
- Remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent tooth and root decay
- Apply fluoride treatment
- Take and develop X-rays
- May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
- May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions.
Dental therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct dental assessments and consult with dentist on patient care
- Take dental impressions
- Take and develop X-rays
- Remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent tooth and root decay
- Apply fluoride treatment
- Instruct patients regarding oral hygiene procedures
- Supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
- May drill and fill cavities, extract teeth and replace portions of tooth crown.
Employment requirements
- Dental hygienists are required to complete a college program ranging from one to three years, or other approved program in dental hygiene recognized by the governing board within the province or territory of residence.
- Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma or equivalent credentials from an approved dental institution.
or
Complete the dental therapy diploma program offered by the First Nations University of Canada in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. - Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.
- Licensure is required for dental therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
3223 - Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
Dental technologists and technicians design, prepare and fabricate dentures and dental devices as prescribed by dentists and other specialists. Dental laboratory assistants assist dental technologists and technicians in preparing and fabricating dentures and other dental devices. They are employed in dental laboratories. Dental technologists and technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Illustrative example(s)
- ceramic denture moulder
- dental laboratory assistant
- dental technician
- dental technician supervisor
- dental technologist
- denture finisher
- denture wax pattern former
- orthodontic band maker
- registered dental technician
- registered dental technologist
Exclusion(s)
- Dental assistants (3411)
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists (3222)
- Denturists (3221)
Main duties
Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants perform some or all of the following duties:
- Design, fabricate or repair dental devices including full or partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, clasps and bands, and implants
- Prepare plaster models and moulds from dental impressions
- Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays
- Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases
- Pack plastic material in moulds to form full or partial dentures
- Mould wax over denture set-up to form full contours of artificial gums
- Make orthodontic bands from gold, silver, stainless steel or other metals
- Finish metal framework of dentures and polish and buff dentures to obtain natural finish
- 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 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.
- Dental laboratory assistants usually require secondary school and up to two years of on-the-job training.
- Dental technologists and technicians are required to complete a college program in dental technology
Additional information
- Dental laboratory assistants may progress to dental technologist and technician positions with training, experience and registration.
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