Dental hygienists
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Provide dental hygiene treatment and information related to the prevention of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth.
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Note: The data presented in this profile does not take into account the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and labour market. Consequently, the accuracy of some of the estimates that appear in this profile may be affected.
Full NOC Description
Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and information related to the prevention of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth. They are employed in dentists' offices, hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, government agencies and private industry. Dental therapists carry out limited dental services related to the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.
Main Duties
Dental hygienists and dental therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
Dental hygienists
- Conduct an initial dental assessment and consult with dentists on patient care
- Take dental impressions
- Instruct patients regarding oral hygiene procedures
- Clean and stimulate the gums to prevent gum disease
- Remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent tooth and root decay
- Apply fluoride treatment
- Take and develop X-rays
- May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
- May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions.
Dental therapists
- Conduct dental assessments and consult with dentist on patient care
- Take dental impressions
- Take and develop X-rays
- Remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent tooth and root decay
- Apply fluoride treatment
- Instruct patients regarding oral hygiene procedures
- Supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
- May drill and fill cavities, extract teeth and replace portions of tooth crown.
Also Known As
- dental hygienist
- dental nurse
- dental therapist
Employment Requirements
- Dental hygienists are required to complete a college program ranging from one to three years, or other approved program in dental hygiene recognized by the governing board within the province or territory of residence.
- Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma or equivalent credentials from an approved dental institution. or Complete the dental therapy diploma program offered by the First Nations University of Canada in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
- Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.
- Licensure is required for dental therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Provincial Regulation
- Provincially Regulated: Yes
- Compulsory: Yes
- Red Seal: No
- Certified Interprovincial Mobility: Yes
Regulation Body
The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.
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The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.
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The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.
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The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.
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The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.
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Economic Regions
The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.
The following graph shows the median salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.
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Economic Regions
The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.
The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.
This following represents the median salary of all persons employed in this occupation compared to the median salary of workers employed in this occupation that work full-time year-round.
This following represents the median salary of persons employed in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.
The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).
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