WHAT IS A DENTAL THERAPY ASSISTANT?

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What is a Dental Therapy Assistant?

A Dental Therapist is a registered healthcare professional who, supervised by a dentist, specialises in the oral care of pre-school, primary and secondary school children. Dental Therapy Assistants provide help with preparing young patients for examinations and procedures in order to improve efficiency and ease the workload for the dentist and dental therapist.

Focussing on patient care, the Dental Therapy Assistant will greet children and parents, help them feel comfortable and at ease and offer information regarding treatments and examination procedures. They aid in educating and motivating young patients to maintain good oral health practices.

Dental Therapy Assistants also organise tools and equipment, help to maintain infection control standards, prepare and clean rooms before and after treatments and serve as an extra set of hands during procedures. They may have additional administrative duties such as updating records, managing stock levels and documenting procedures.

What do Dental Therapy Assistants do?

  • Receiving patients, helping them to feel comfortable and preparing them for treatment.
  • Assisting dental therapist during examinations by organising and supplying instruments and materials.
  • Following infection control standards, sterilising and processing rooms and equipment.
  • Preparing rooms, materials and equipment before treatments and examinations.
  • Recording procedures and patient information.
  • Teaching and motivating children to maintain good oral hygiene practices.
  • Maintaining patient records and stock levels.

    Career snapshot for Dental Therapy Assistant

    • The average age of working Dental Therapy Assistants is 27.
    • 2.20% of Dental Therapy Assistants are male.
    • 58.20% of Dental Therapy Assistants work full-time and on average they work around 35.5 hours per week.
    • With A Certificate II or III, Dental Therapy Assistants get paid $893 per week Before Tax.
    • Unemployment levels are average.
    • In 2015 records showed 21,900 employed Dental Therapy Assistants.
    • The projected growth of the profession is estimated to be stable with employment numbers around 21,900 by 2020.
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