Examines and treats diseases of the teeth in preschool, primary and secondary school children under the general supervision of a Dentist.
Occupation description
Examines and treats diseases of the teeth in preschool, primary and secondary school children under the general supervision of a Dentist.
Occupations considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:
- Oral Health Therapist
Dental Therapist is a VETASSESS Group A occupation
This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher, in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Description of Pathways
The information below describes the available pathways for a Skills Assessment under Group A. Please note that in order to achieve a successful Skills Assessment Outcome, a positive assessment for both qualifications and employment is required.
Pathway 1
This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher degree and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation. Bachelor degree or higher degree includes AQF Master Degree or AQF Doctoral Degree. In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:
- at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
- working 20 hours or more per week, and
- highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Pathway 2
This pathway requires an overseas qualification recognised by the Dental Board of Australia. The qualification must be highly relevant and comparable to an appropriate level within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Qualifications from the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, or New Zealand that are recognised by the Australian Dental Board - including certain Diploma-level qualifications that meet AQF equivalency, and the requirements set by the Dental Board - may be accepted on a case-by-case basis to meet the qualification level. Further information on recognised dental qualifications is available from the Dental Board of Australia.
In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:
- at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
- working 20 hours or more per week, and
- highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Qualification & Employment Criteria
AQF Bachelor Degree or Higher
Highly relevant major fields of study include:
- Dental Therapy
- Oral Health Therapy
This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor Degree or higher degree and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Employment Information
Highly relevant tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Providing educational programs to motivate children, parents and the community in matters relating to oral health
- Providing fluoride therapy by applying remineralising solutions and desensitising agents
- Removing deposits from teeth
Additional tasks may include, but not limited to:
- Carries out oral examinations and checks teeth and gums for signs of decay and disease
- Cleans calcareous deposits and stains from teeth and the gum margins using specialised dental equipment
- Applies fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay
- Applies rubber dams and temporary restorations
- Extracts teeth where necessary
- May conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment local or infrequent dental practice
- May perform dental radiography
- May administer local anaesthesia and analgesics
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