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Dentists, General

OaSIS code 31110.01

Dentists diagnose, treat, prevent and control disorders of the teeth and mouth.

Overview

Also known as

  • Dentist
  • Pediatric dentist
  • Public health dentist

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Examine patients' teeth, gums and surrounding tissue to diagnose disease, injury and decay and plan appropriate preventive or corrective treatment
  • Provide general dental care such as cleaning teeth, filling cavities, performing root canals, applying veneers, and fitting crowns, bridges and dentures
  • Restore, extract and replace diseased and decayed teeth
  • Instruct patients on oral hygiene and preventive dental care
  • Monitor patient progress to identify changes or the progression of dental disease
  • Prescribe antibiotics or other medication as required
  • Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color
  • Refer patients to dental specialists as needed for recommended procedures
  • Supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants and other staff
  • May provide basic orthodontic treatments with additional training.

Additional information

  • Certification by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada entitles dentists or graduates of approved dental programs to practise dentistry in any province in Canada provided requirements set out by the provincial and territorial licensing authorities are met.
  • Dentists, with further education, training and licensing, can specialize and practice in such areas as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology or public health dentistry.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Denturists (32110)
  • Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
  • Dental technologists and technicians (32112)
  • Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (33100)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

31 – Professional occupations in health

Sub-major group

311 – Health treating and consultation services professionals

Minor group

3111 – Dentists, optometrists and audiologists

Unit group

31110 – Dentists

Occupational profile

31110.01 – Dentists, General

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Assisting and Caring for Others
5 - Highest Level
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance
5 - Highest Level
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
5 - Highest Level
Judging Quality
5 - Highest Level
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
5 - Highest Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
4 - High amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
5 - Physically touching or very close

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
5 - Extremely important
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously

Workplaces/employers

  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Private practice
  • Public health facilities
  • Universities

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
5 - Highest Level
Control of Settings
5 - Highest Level
Deductive Reasoning
5 - Highest Level
Finger Dexterity
5 - Highest Level
Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Critical Thinking
5 - Highest Level
Decision Making
5 - Highest Level
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension
5 - Highest Level
Oral Communication: Oral Expression
5 - Highest Level
Persuading
5 - Highest Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
5 - Extremely important
Concern for Others
5 - Extremely important
Independence
5 - Extremely important
Active Learning
4 - Highly important
Adaptability
4 - Highly important