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Dental Therapist

Dental Therapist
ANZSCO Code: 411214 / Group A

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.

Applicants must also have at least one year of highly relevant, post-qualification employment, at an appropriate skill level completed in the last five years.

A positive assessment of both qualifications and employment is required for a positive Skills Assessment Outcome.

 

* Additional qualifications in a highly relevant field of study include those comparable to the following levels: 

  • AQF Diploma 
  • AQF Advanced Diploma 
  • AQF Associate Degree or 
  • AQF Graduate Diploma

** Highly relevant paid employment duration (20 hours or more per week): 

One year of post-qualification paid employment (20 hours or more per week) highly relevant to the nominated occupation, at an appropriate skill level in the last five years before the date of application for a Skills Assessment

Qualification & Employment Criteria

Qualification

Highly relevant major fields of study include:

  • Dental Therapy is the study of diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases of the teeth and adjacent tissues and providing assistance to dentists in clinical settings. Dental Therapy may be offered in Oral Health programs of study.
    Highly relevant qualifications would usually be in the area of Dental Therapy or Oral Health Therapy.
  • Studies and employment in Dentistry or Dental Surgery cannot be assessed positively for this occupation. 

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 Criteria

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
     

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.

Please note in order to achieve a successful Skills Assessment Outcome, a positive assessment for both qualifications and employment is required.

A Dental Therapist examines and treats diseases of the teeth in preschool, primary and secondary school children under the general supervision of a Dentist. Registration or licensing is required (ANZSCO).

Highly relevant qualifications would usually be in the area of Dental Therapy or Oral Health Therapy.

Studies and employment in Dentistry or Dental Surgery cannot be assessed positively for this occupation.

Tasks undertaken must be related to those of a Dental Therapist.

For visa-related requirements including caveats that may apply for certain occupations, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website

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How to apply

If you're a professional choosing to migrate to Australia, chances are you're likely to be assessed by us. We assess 341 different professional occupations, assessing your skills, experience and qualifications.

1

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2

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3

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4

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