Dental hygienists and dental therapists
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Dental hygienists and dental therapists work on treating and preventing diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth.
Dental hygienists:
- Perform dental hygiene treatment and provide patients with information related to the prevention of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth
- Usually work in private dental offices, hospitals, clinics, educational institutions or 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
- Usually work for the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities
People in these careers:
- Should have strong communication and interpersonal skills to assess patient needs, explain procedures and put patients at ease
- Should also be well organized, detail-oriented and have the ability to solve problems and make decisions
- Should have a strong back, good eyesight and a high degree of manual dexterity
- Should enjoy working with people and as part of a team
Job Titles
Duties
Dental hygienists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Do initial dental assessments and talk to patients about their dental care needs
- Take dental impressions
- Clean and stimulate the gums to prevent gum disease
- Remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent tooth and root decay
- Apply fluoride treatement
- 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
The dental therapist profession is not formally recognized as a discipline in B.C. All dental hygienists with full registration can perform the following dental therapy duties:
- Work for Health Canada, providing limited dental services as part of the community health-care team in B.C. First Nations communities without a dentist
- Do dental assessments and speak with dentists about patient care
- Take dental impressions, remove stains and deposits from teeth to prevent root and tooth decay, apply fluoride treatments and take X-rays
- Extract teeth, replace portions of tooth crowns and place steel crowns on primary teeth
- Give local anesthetic, and drill cavities and fill them using tooth-coloured or silver linings
- Instruct individuals and groups on oral health and hygiene procedures and may run community health programs
- May supervise dental assistants
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
3,590% Employed Full Time
20%Workers in this occupational group typically work 32–40 hours per week. Those in private practices may work on a part-time schedule or work evenings and weekends.
Most work in clean, well-lit offices. Workers in rural and remote communities may have to travel great distances by vehicle or small plane to reach patients. They may also have to carry heavy equipment and materials for treatment. In the absence of repair services, they may troubleshoot and repair dental equipment.
Workers in these occupations must use sterile techniques and follow proper radiological procedures when taking X-rays. These workers wear safety glasses, masks, gloves and scrubs or lab coats to protect themselves from infectious diseases.
Career Pathways
Individuals may begin their careers as dental assistants and advance to the position of hygienist or therapist through further education and training.
Dental hygienists who hold a bachelor's degree may undergo advanced education, such as graduate studies in dental science to broaden their career opportunities.
In British Columbia, legislation permits dental hygienists to own and operate their own dental hygiene practices. Registered hygienists may choose to practise as self-employed contractors.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of secondary school is required to work in these occupations. Dental hygienists requirements include:
- Completion of an accredited two-year diploma or bachelor-level degree program in dental hygiene
- Completion of courses in English, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, psychology and statistics at a first-year university level for admission into a diploma program
- Registration with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) in order to practise
All dental therapists in Canada are required to complete a two-year diploma program, which has been offered by the National School of Dental Therapy at First Nations University of Canada in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
- 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
Dental hygienists and dental therapists who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
3,590Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 100 | 2.8% |
| Kootenay | 140 | 3.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 2,035 | 56.7% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 60 | 1.7% |
| Northeast | 40 | 1.1% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 475 | 13.2% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 745 | 20.8% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,470Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 30 | 1.1% |
| Kootenay | 80 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 780 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 30 | 1.2% |
| Northeast | 0 | -0.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 220 | 1.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 320 | 2.7% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,450 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 10 |
Insights from Industry
A growing and aging population will require more dental services, which will result in new job openings for these workers. Job opportunities will also become available due to retirements.
As with many health-care professions, there is a shortage of dental hygienists in rural communities of the province. Increased job opportunities may be available in these areas.
Dental hygienists carry a much broader scope of responsibilities than in the past. They are dental health-care educators who instruct patients in oral hygiene procedures and promote community dental health programs. The role of dental hygienists in areas outside clinical practices, such as community health centres and residential care facilities is expected to increase.
Advances in biomedical sciences and disease patterns continuously change the delivery of dental care. Improvements in many aspects of dental care make it possible for dentists to carry out more complex treatments, which may increase overall demand for dental services.
Resources
-
B.C. Ministry of Healthwww.gov.bc.ca/health
-
British Columbia Dental Association – Job Postingsbcdental.org/careers/
-
British Columbia Dental Hygienists' Association (BCDHA)www.bcdha.bc.ca
-
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA)www.cdha.ca
-
British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP)oralhealthbc.ca/
-
National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB)www.ndhcb.ca
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a dental hygienist does in a day.
Watch the video below to see what a dental hygienist does in a day.
