Dental Therapist

A dental therapists provides dental care to those living in remote areas of Canada, particularly in the North.  Dental therapists follow treatment prescribed by a supervisor dentist who visits the dental therapist regularly.  The dentist examines patients and writes treatment plans which outline the specific procedures to be completed after the dentist has gone.

Responsibilities include:

• giving local freezing;

• preparing teeth for and placing routine fillings in teeth;

• performing uncomplicated extractions of teeth;

• scaling (cleaning) teeth;

• taking and developing X-rays; and 

• conducting preventative dental health programs that include:

  • supervised brushing;

  • topical fluoride application, and

  • classroom teaching.