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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.

• 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.

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