Where do dental therapists Personal Qualities and dental hygienists work? Dental therapists and hygienists need to have good dexterity and steady hands. They Dental Therapist and Most dental therapists are employed by should be fit and healthy, with good eyesight district health boards to work in school or (with or without glasses). community dental services. Some work in private practices. They need to be: • patient Dental therapists work in hygienic, well- • tolerant lit dental clinics at or near primary and • composed intermediate schools. They may also work in • cheerful • confident mobile dental therapy units, moving around • good communicators the country. • friendly

Dental hygienists may work full or part-time hours. They may work in a dental practice as part of a team or in their own treatment room. They may also work in hospitals and nursing homes. Information collated by NZIRH Where to go for more information: Video link for dental therapist www.dcnz.org.nz

https://youtu.be/NVG2x-XfLWo www.careers.govt.nz www.kiaorahauora.co.nz Video link for dental hygienist https://youtu.be/j2p_vMECc2Y INSTITUTE OF RURAL HEALTH PO Box 834, CAMBRIDGE 3450

p: 07 8239274 email:[email protected] www.nzirh.org.nz

November, 2019 Careers Advice Oral health professionals What do they do? Training

Oral health affects everyone, every day. Dental therapists and hygienists may do To become a dental therapist or dental Good oral health allows you to speak, smile, some or all of the following: hygienist you need to complete a three year kiss, taste and chew with confidence. • examine the mouth, gums and teeth • preventative work, like cleaning and degree in Bachelor of Oral Health from The An oral health professional can be registered coating teeth () or a Bachelor to practise as a dental hygienist or as a • educate patients on how to clean teeth of Health Science in Oral Health from AUT dental therapist or both. Both disciplines and gums effectively (Auckland). are skilled at promoting healthy lifestyles and • inform the community on the benefits of have a strong awareness of the influences oral health and hygiene on health. They have skills in dental therapy, • keep records The courses consist of time in theory and dental hygiene and health promotion. Both • refer people for specialist treatment to a clinical training – initially on models, but educate their clients on how to maintain dentist later treating patients under supervision. clean and healthy teeth and gums. • take x-rays AUT requires University Entrance, while to

Dental therapists treat diseases and Dental therapists may also: be considered for admission Otago’s Oral conditions that affect the teeth and gums of • repair teeth Health programme an applicant must children. Early detection of dental disease • extract teeth have attained a minimum of 14 credits in and preventive treatment is a key aspect Dental hygienists may also: NCEA L3 biology or equivalent; and of the work of a dental therapist, as well as • whiten teeth restoration of form or function to a damaged 10 credits in English at NCEA L2 (at least teeth. 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing) and provide a statement of interest and a A dental hygienist may work closely with curriculum vitae. dentists in detecting and treating oral disease. They provide oral health education and work to prevent oral disease and promote healthy The subjects that will help you most with oral behaviours. these degrees are English and biology.