National Occupation Code (NOC): 32111

Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists' offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.

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Employment Requirements for Dental hygienists and dental therapists

• Completion of a two- to three-year college dental hygiene program, approved by the governing board within the province or territory of residence, is usually required for dental hygienists.
• Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma from an approved dental institution program.
• Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.
• Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Alternate Job Titles

• Community Dental Hygienist
• Dental Hygiene Technician
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Hygienist Technician
• Dental Nurse
• Dental Therapist
• Expanded Duty Dental Hygienist
• Expanded Duty Dental Nurse
• Licensed Dental Therapist
• Orthodontic Hygienist
• Periodontal Hygienist
• Registered Dental Hygienist
• Registered Dental Therapist
• Restorative Dental Hygienist