Dental Therapist/Hygienist Jobs
Dental Therapists, also known as Oral Health Therapists, assess and treat dental diseases in children and adolescents. They play an important role in educating and motivating young people to best care for their oral health. They provide routine dental services for children, including dental examinations, cleaning and polishing, fluoride treatment, taking X-rays, applying fillings and fissure sealants, or extracting problematic baby teeth. They may work in mobile clinics out in the community, or as part of the dentist-led team in hospitals or private practices. Dental/Oral Health Therapists complete a Bachelor of Oral Health and register with the Dental Board of Australia.
Dental hygienists work as part of dentist-led teams, performing preventive dental procedures, such as teeth cleaning, while also giving education and advice. They work in collaboration with the Dentist, providing routine dental care, which allows the Dentist more time for advanced procedures and consultations. Dental Hygienists complete either a 2-year Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene), or a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene or Oral Health.