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3222.1 – Dental hygienists

Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and information related to the prevention of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth.

Profile

Example titles Help

  • Dental hygienist

Main characteristics Help

  • General learning ability to provide dental hygiene treatment and instruct patients in care of the teeth and mouth
  • Verbal ability to provide information on oral hygiene and disease prevention; may supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
  • Methodical interest in compiling information by conducting initial dental assessments and taking and developing X-rays; may perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of dentists
  • Objective interest in precision working with dental equipment to take dental impressions, to clean and stimulate the gums to prevent gum disease, to remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent tooth and root decay, and to apply fluoride treatments
  • Social interest in instructing patients regarding oral hygiene procedures; and in consulting with dentists on patient care

Aptitudes Help

One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:

G
General learning ability
V
Verbal ability
N
Numerical ability
S
Spatial perception
P
Form perception
Q
Clerical perception
K
Motor co-ordination
F
Finger dexterity
M
Manual dexterity

Levels legend, text description directly below.
  1. The highest 10% of the working population
  2. Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
  3. Middle third of the working population
  4. Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
  5. Lowest 10% of the working population

An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.

General learning ability G-3

Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.

Verbal ability V-3

Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.

Numerical ability N-3

Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.

Spatial perception S-3

Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.

Form perception P-3

Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.

Clerical perception Q-4

Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.

Motor co-ordination K-3

Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.

Finger dexterity F-3

Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.

Manual dexterity M-3

Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.

Interests Help

Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:

D
Directive
I
Innovative
M
Methodical
O
Objective
S
Social

Methodical M

Methodical persons like to have clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They prefer working under the direction or supervision of others according to given instructions, or to be guided by established policies and procedures. Methodical persons like to work on one thing until it is completed. They enjoy following a set routine and prefer work that is free from the unexpected.

Objective O

Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.

Social S

Social persons like dealing with people. They enjoy caring for and assisting others in identifying their needs and solving their concerns. Social persons like working and co-operating with others. They prefer to be involved in work that requires interpersonal contact.

Data, people, and things Help

Data

0
Synthesizing
1
Co-ordinating
2
Analyzing
3
Compiling
4
Computing
5
Copying
6
Comparing
7
N/A
8
Not Significant

People

0
Mentoring
1
Negotiating
2
Instructing - Consulting
3
Supervising
4
Diverting
5
Persuading
6
Speaking - Signaling
7
Serving - Assisting
8
Not significant

Things

0
Setting up
1
Precision working
2
Controlling
3
Driving - Operating
4
Operating - Manipulating
5
Tending
6
Feeding - Offbearing
7
Handling
8
Not significant
Data Compiling 3

Accumulating information usually recorded physically but which may be stored mentally; gathering, collating and classifying information about data, people and things; frequently reporting and/or carrying out a prescribed action in relation to the information.

People Instructing 2

Teaching subject matter to others, giving advice or training others (including animals) through explanation, demonstration and supervised practice; making recommendations on the basis of subject matter expertise.

Things Precision working 1

Using the body and/or equipment to move, guide, place, install and/or interface with objects, in order to attain specifications and precise standards. Considerable judgment is required to select, adjust and utilize appropriate tools, products and/or materials to accomplish specified objectives.

Physical activities Help

V - Vision

1
Close visual acuity
2
Near vision
3
Near and far vision
4
Total visual field

H - Hearing

1
Limited
2
Verbal interaction
3
Other sound discrimination

L - Limb co-ordination

0
Not relevant
1
Upper limb co-ordination
2
Multiple limb co-ordination

C - Colour discrimination

0
Not relevant
1
Relevant

B - Body position

1
Sitting
2
Standing and/or walking
3
Sitting, standing, walking
4
Other body positions

S - Strength

1
Limited
2
Light
3
Medium
4
Heavy
Vision Vision V-1

The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.

1 - Close visual acuity

Some or all work activities are performed close to the worker. The scope of the visual field is confined and requires close attention to detail.

Occupations where one or more of the Main Duties require close visual acuity are coded at this level. Other Main Duties in the unit group may involve other types of vision – for example, Near and far vision (3) or Total visual field (4).

Examples:

  • assembling micro-circuit boards
  • machining to close tolerances
  • cutting gems
  • performing surgical procedures
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-1

The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.

1 - Relevant

Colour discrimination is relevant in the performance of the work.

Examples:

  • observing signals while operating vehicles
  • installing, testing and repairing electrical wiring
  • restoring and conserving museum and art gallery artifacts
  • designing, constructing and repairing dentures
Hearing Hearing H-2

The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.

2 - Verbal interaction

Work activities involve communication with colleagues, clients and/or the public on a regular basis.

Examples:

  • operating directory listing systems to provide directory assistance to customers
  • resolving work problems and recommending measures to improve productivity
  • consulting with families of the deceased regarding funeral services
  • analyzing and providing advice on managerial methods and organization of establishments
Body position Body position B-3*

Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.

Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-1

The use of limbs in performing work.

1 - Upper limb co-ordination

Work activities involve co-ordination of upper limbs.

Examples:

  • keyboarding
  • performing maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups
  • operating video cameras
  • instructing students in sign language
Strength Strength S-1

The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.

1 - Limited

Work activities involve handling loads up to 5 kg.

Examples:

  • examining and analyzing financial information
  • selling insurance to clients
  • conducting economic and technical feasibility studies
  • administering and marking written tests

Environmental conditions Help

Location

L1
Regulated inside climate
L2
Unregulated inside climate
L3
Outside
L4
In a vehicle or cab

Hazards

H1
Dangerous chemical substances
H2
Biological agents
H3
Equipment, machinery, tools
H4
Electricity
H5
Radiation
H6
Flying particles, falling objects
H7
Fire, steam, hot surfaces
H8
Dangerous locations

Discomforts

D1
Noise
D2
Vibration
D3
Odours
D4
Non-toxic dusts
D5
Wetness
Hazards Biological agents H2

Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.

H2 - Biological agents

Exposure to infectious bacteria and viruses as a result of indirect contact with, or direct handling of, infectious materials or micro-organisms that may cause illness.

Examples:

  • treating sick animals
  • providing nursing care
  • investigating outbreaks of food and environment-related diseases and poisonings
  • conducting microbiological tests and laboratory analyses
Hazards Equipment, machinery, tools H3

Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.

H3 - Equipment, machinery, tools

Working near or with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools that may be a potential source of accident or injury.

Examples:

  • operating metal machining tools to shape metal
  • using hand tools to fabricate wood products
  • operating power saws to thin trees
  • performing surgical procedures
Hazards Radiation H5

Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.

H5 - Radiation

Exposure to ionizing radiation such as X-rays and radioactive substances or non-ionizing radiation such as radio frequencies and infrared, ultraviolet or visible light that may affect health adversely.

Examples:

  • taking dental X-rays
  • preparing and administering radioactive drugs
  • operating welding equipment (ultraviolet)
  • controlling the flow of air traffic using radar monitors, radio and other equipment (radio frequencies)
  • conducting atmospheric research (visible laser light)
  • creating glass objects (infrared)
Location Regulated inside climate L1

The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:

  • firefighting and fire prevention duties
  • maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
  • managing operations and paperwork of farms

L1 - Regulated inside climate

A normal controlled environment such as an office, hospital or school.

Employment requirements Help

Education/training Help

1
No formal education or training requirements
2
Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
3
High school
4
Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
5
Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
6
College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
7
Undergraduate degree
8
Post-graduate or professional degree
+
Additional requirement beyond education and training
R
Regulated requirement(s)
5, 6, R
  • Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.

Workplaces/employers Help

  • Clinics
  • Dentists' offices
  • Educational institutions
  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Private industry

Exclusions Help

Remarks Help

  • For some occupations in this group, Body position 4(Other body positions) may also apply

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category
3 – Health occupations
Skill level
B – Occupations usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training
Minor group
32 – Technical occupations in health
Minor group
322 – Technical occupations in dental health care
Unit group
3222 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Version
NOC 2016 Version 1.3
Date modified: