A
dental therapist is a licensed dental auxiliary in some countries, who specializes in treating children's teeth and
oral hygieneTeeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, to prevent cavities , gingivitis, and periodontitis. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene.-Brushing:...
. Local dental regulations determine the duties therapists are able to perform. Typically, therapists under the prescription of a dentist are licensed to examine children's teeth, administer restricted techniques of
local anesthesiaLocal anesthesia is any technique to render part of the body insensitive to pain without affecting consciousness. It allows patients to undergo surgical and dental procedures with reduced pain and distress. In many situations, such as cesarean section, it is safer and therefore superior to...
, take
radiographRadiography is the use of the property of X-rays to cross materials to view inside objects. The impact on society of this technique has also been immense : application fields are medical, non-destructive testing, food inspection, security, archeology, ......
s, provide
sealantsDental sealants are a dental treatment consisting of applying a plastic material to one or more teeth, for the intended purpose of preventing dental caries or other forms of tooth decay.-Development:...
, scaling and cleaning in children.
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A
dental therapist is a licensed dental auxiliary in some countries, who specializes in treating children's teeth and
oral hygieneTeeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, to prevent cavities , gingivitis, and periodontitis. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene.-Brushing:...
. Local dental regulations determine the duties therapists are able to perform. Typically, therapists under the prescription of a dentist are licensed to examine children's teeth, administer restricted techniques of
local anesthesiaLocal anesthesia is any technique to render part of the body insensitive to pain without affecting consciousness. It allows patients to undergo surgical and dental procedures with reduced pain and distress. In many situations, such as cesarean section, it is safer and therefore superior to...
, take
radiographRadiography is the use of the property of X-rays to cross materials to view inside objects. The impact on society of this technique has also been immense : application fields are medical, non-destructive testing, food inspection, security, archeology, ......
s, provide
sealantsDental sealants are a dental treatment consisting of applying a plastic material to one or more teeth, for the intended purpose of preventing dental caries or other forms of tooth decay.-Development:...
, scaling and cleaning in children. Also restoring primary
teethTeeth are small, calcified, whitish structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates that are used to tear, scrape, and chew food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or defense. The roots of teeth are covered by gums...
and vital pulp treatments such as
pulpotomiesWhen the dental pulp became infected or affected, and the coronal portion of the pulp lost its vitality, while the radicular portion is still vital… Amputation of the coronal portion and treatment of the remaining radicular portion should preserve the vitality of the remaining pulp tissue.So that...
.
Local dental regulations are constantly changing to include extended duties and exemptions for dental therapists.
By country or state
In the UK a dental therapist can treat children and adults, with direct restorations, oral hygiene treatment and extraction of deciduous teeth.
In Alaska, dental therapists may practice basic surgical procedures. In order to become a dental therapist a person must complete a three year educational program in either
New ZealandThe University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 20,000 students enrolled during 2006.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
or
CanadaCanada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, pass an examination and return to rural Alaska licensed to practice.
In
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the continental mainland , the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans...
, therapists mainly work for state government school dental programs, treating children's teeth. Regulation restrictions include: reading of periapical radiographs, restoring adult teeth in children above grade 10 and restoring non-vital teeth.
The service of Dental Therapists came in to existence in Sri Lanka from New Zealand ;as a result of the Colombo Plan. Dental clinics are school based and they do a lot to maintain the dental hygiene in young Sri Lankans.
See also
- Dentistry
Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw , the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is a part of stomatology...
- Dental auxiliary
- Dental hygienist
thumb|right|200px|A dental hygienist at workA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive medical care, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists. In most jurisdictions,...
- Dental assistant
Dental assistants help the dental operator provide more efficient dental treatment, by preparing the patient with a bib or goggles, washing and sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding a suction device, and other non-specialized tasks...
- Dental technician
A dental technician is a member of the dental team who, with a written work order, produces dental appliances such as a removable prothesis, including dentures and orthodontic appliances, and adjunctive services such as denture repairs, and fixed prostheses, such as crowns and bridges.Dental...
External links