Dental assistants help dentists examine and treat patients, and perform some administrative tasks.

NOC Code: 3411

Job Duties

Dental assistants help dentists examine and treat patients, and perform some administrative tasks. You may work for a dentist's office, or with a government or educational institution. You may also be called a certified dental assistant, certified intra-oral dental assistant, registered dental assistant, dental clinical assistant or preventative dental assistant.

Generally, dental assistants:

• Prepare patients for dental examination and help the dentist during checkups.
• Sterilize and maintain dental instruments and equipment.
• Inform patients about caring for their teeth and mouth.
• Take and develop X-rays.
• Clean teeth and apply fluoride and sealant.
• Schedule patient appointments.
• Prepare invoices for patients and insurance companies.
• Order dental and office supplies.

Source: HRSDC

Job Requirements

Education

Experience

Source: HRSDC

Essential Skills

As a dental assistant, you need to:

• Speak, write and read English.
• Have communication skills to get information from patients, explain procedures and make them feel comfortable.
• Follow written directions to mix and use products.
• Record information accurately.
• Keep up-to-date on new procedures and products.
• Use a computer to enter patient data and create invoices.
• Have good problem solving skills.
• Work well with others and on your own.

Source: Ontario Skills Passport

Language Skills

You need to communicate in person and in writing with patients and co-workers. You also need to take notes, check patient charts and other forms for accuracy, and follow written product directions. You need to use dental terminology.

Labour Market Information

Trends

Job opportunities in the field are increasing because the population in Canada is aging and needs dental care. As well, more people have dental insurance to pay for dental services.

Prospects

Source: Ontario Job Futures [PDF]

Wages

Source: HRSDC

Retraining

Educational Programs

These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.

• Related programs at Ontario colleges
• Search for related programs at Canadian universities

Bridging Programs

Although the field of dentistry does not specifically have bridging programs, there are several programs for internationally educated professionals which can you prepare for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) examinations.

• Internationally Trained Dentists Program (ITD)  University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
• International Dentist Advanced Placement for Foreign-Trained Dentists University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry

Language Training

Here is a list of some language training programs, such as Enhanced Language Training (ELT) and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT).

• Workplace Communication Skills for Health Care
• Specialized language training programs

Work Experience Programs

Many college programs and bridging programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.

Voluntary Membership Opportunities

• Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA)
• Ontario Dental Association

Helpful Links

• E-Career Map for Dentists
• Information for Internationally-Trained Dentists/Dental Surgeons
• Information for Foreign-Trained Dental Assistants
• Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
• Ontario Dental Association
• Canadian Dental Assistants Association (CDAA)
• National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB)
• Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada
• National Dental Examining Board of Canada
• Working in Ontario as a Dentist

The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source for the most up-to-date information.