Dentist

What is a Dentist?
Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries and abnormalities of teeth, gums and related oral structures, prescribes and administers restorative and preventive procedures, and conducts surgery or uses other specialist techniques.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. Registration or licensing is required.

What does a dentist do?

Tasks Include:

• examines teeth, gums and other tissues using dental equipment and X-rays
• diagnoses dental conditions and plans treatment
• cleans teeth and cavities, fills cavities with restorative materials and extracts and replaces teeth
• constructs inlays and artificial crowns to replace portions of teeth
• designs, constructs and fits dentures, bridge work, orthodontic and other appliances
• advises patients on oral hygiene and provides preventive dental services such as applications of fluoride and sealants to teeth
• may refer patients to dentists specialising in particular methods, or medical practitioners for further examination and treatment
• may administer local and general anaesthetics
• may delegate technical construction to Dental Technicians
• may specialise in particular disorders, treatments or methods requiring additional specialist training

What training is required to become a dentist?
Information relating to education, employment opportunities and additional information is specific to each State/Territory. To see the relevant information, select the state:

NSW/ACT   NT   QLD   SA   TAS   VIC   WA

How do you enter the dental profession?
To practise dentistry in Australia you must have qualifications acceptable to the Dental Board of the State or Territory in which you intend to reside and practise. It is illegal to practise dentistry without registering with the appropriate Dental Board.

See Dentistry in Australia

What are the recognised dental specialities?
The recognised dental specialities are Endodontists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Orthodontists, Paediatric dentists, Periodontists, Prosthodontists, Oral Pathologists and Dental Radiologists.

The following list describes the various specialist dentists.

• An Endodontist treats diseases and injuries to, and associated with the dental pulp, i.e. the soft tissues in the hollow core of the tooth.
• An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon surgically treats injuries, abnormalities and diseases of mouth and adjacent parts.
• An Orthodontist prevents and treats badly aligned teeth and jaws.
• A Paediatric Dentist treats children or adolescents who need special care because of behavioural problems, trauma, medical status or disability.
• A Periodontist prevents and treats diseases of the tissues which support the teeth, i.e. the gums and underlying bone.
• A Prosthodontist restores and/or replaces teeth and their associated parts.

NOTE: Most dentists in general practice provide a range of dental services. If you wish to consider using a specialist you should consult a general dentist who will provide a referral and continue to manage your general dental needs.

What types of dental practice options are available?
Dentists may work in private practice, as a solo practitioner or as an assistant, an associate, or a partner. Alternatively, a dentist may be employed in government service.

The majority of dentists work in private practice.

You may set up a practice or purchase an existing practice. Other ways of working in private practice include becoming an assistant dentist, which means you receive a salary from the owner of the practice; an associate dentist, where you and another (or more) join together to share the certain expenses, such as rent, while other expenses are paid separately and fees are collected separately; or as a partner where two or more practitioners share expenses and profits/losses according to an agreed proportion.

There are positions available to dentists in the government service, which employs about 15% of dental practitioners in Australia. A salaried government dentist treats patients eligible for publicly funded dental treatment.

Each of the armed services maintains dental units which provide treatment for members of the service and in some circumstances their families.

On graduation, universities are sometimes able to provide short-term appointments as tutors or lecturers. Permanent appointments require post graduate experience and higher degrees.

To be able to set up a specialist practice you must be registered as a specialist with the appropriate Dental Board. In general, you are required to have a degree, diploma or award of high standing which testifies to your ability in the specialised area, plus demonstrate you have been practising exclusively, or with considerable emphasis in that field for a reasonable time.