Skills Licensed Dental Therapist in Canada

National Occupational Classification update

We have updated this page to reflect the transition to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This means that the occupation "licensed dental therapist" was moved from the group Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 3222) to the group Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 32111).

Find out what skills you typically need to work as a licensed dental therapist in Canada. These skills are applicable to all Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 32111).

Tasks

  • Conduct initial dental assessments and consult with dentists on patient care
  • Supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
  • Take dental impressions
  • Instruct patients regarding oral hygiene
  • Clean and stimulate the gums to prevent gum disease
  • Remove stains and deposits from teeth
  • Apply fluoride treatment
  • Take, develop and mount X-rays
  • Apply and remove temporary dressings
  • Diagnose type and severity of diseases
  • Administer local anesthetics
  • Perform routine extraction of teeth
  • Remove sutures
  • Fill cavities
  • Perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
  • Replace portions of crowns and perform other restoration techniques

Skills and Knowledge Checklist

The following skills and knowledge are usually required in this occupation.

    Skills

  • Analysis Help -
    • Analyzing Information

    Analysis

    Examining and evaluating information.
    • Analyzing Information

      Examining data or facts to determine appropriate actions or recommendations.

  • Service and Care Help -
    • Treating People/Animals
    • Serving Others

    Service and Care

    Taking care of the needs of people and animals.
    • Treating People/Animals

      Providing emergency care, therapy or other prescribed treatment for people and animals.

    • Serving Others

      Assisting the public by answering questions, making recommendations, and providing information or support in response to requests.

    Operating and Repairing Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles

    Working with and/or repairing vehicles, machinery or stationary equipment.
  • Management Help -
    • Supervising

    Management

    Taking charge of the direction and resources of an organization.
    • Supervising

      Directing and monitoring the performance of others.

  • Communication Help -
    • Teaching and Training

    Communication

    Using communication skills to share information, advise and influence.
    • Teaching and Training

      Facilitating the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

  • Information Handling Help -
    • Processing Information

    Information Handling

    Creating and using systems for the storage and retrieval of knowledge and data.
    • Processing Information

      Inputting, recording, transcribing and updating data using electronic or manual information systems.

    Handling Goods and Materials

    Working with goods and materials manually or with machines.

    Creative Expression

    Using various materials and formats to create work that is intended to be artistically satisfying, entertaining, instructive or functional.

    Building

    Working with materials to construct, renovate and maintain structures.
  • Working with Technological Equipment and Machinery Help -
    • Using Specialized Instrumentation and Equipment

    Working with Technological Equipment and Machinery

    Working with technical equipment, instruments, machinery and other systems.
    • Using Specialized Instrumentation and Equipment

      Controlling, monitoring, calibrating and adjusting precision instrumentation.

    Knowledge

    Social Sciences and Arts

    Knowledge related to culture, origins and patterns of human activity, and the development and expression of thought.
  • Mathematics and Science Help -
    • Biology

    Mathematics and Science

    Knowledge related to specialized areas of research such as measurement, living organisms, physical substances, and properties and relationships of quantity, space, and matter.
    • Biology

      Knowledge of living organisms including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution and classification and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

    Manufacturing and Production

    Knowledge related to the delivery of a series of operations in large-scale production or processing of goods or crops, according to safety and quality standards.

    Law and Public Safety

    Knowledge related to the provision and enforcement of laws and regulations that safeguard the effective functioning of a democratic society.
  • Business, Finance and Management Help -
    • Client Service

    Business, Finance and Management

    Knowledge related to organization and control of business activities.
    • Client Service

      Knowledge of principles and practices of providing service to clients to maintain and build organizational success.

    Engineering and Technology

    Knowledge related to the design, building, use or repair of machinery, equipment, systems, and structures.

    Education and Training

    Knowledge related to the theory and practice of teaching, and the methods used in the design, delivery and evaluation of the provision of knowledge or information.

    Communications and Transportation

    Knowledge related to the provision and transmission of systems of communication and entertainment and the delivery of consumer goods or services.
  • Health Services Help -
    • Medicine

    Health Services

    Knowledge related to the provision of medical science and technology for the physical and mental well-being of others.
    • Medicine

      Knowledge of body systems and processes and techniques to diagnose and treat human and animal injuries, diseases, conditions and deformities. This includes understanding treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health care measures.

Labour Market Information Survey
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