An oral health professional is a member of the oral health care team, and has skills in dental therapy, dental hygiene and health promotion.
Dental hygienists educate patients about the health of their mouths and provide options for improving and maintaining oral health. Dental hygienists work closely with dentists in detecting and treating oral disease and in preparing mouths for complex restorative care.
Dental therapists provide quality dental care to various sections of the community, particularly preschoolers and children. Early detection of dental disease and preventive treatment is a key aspect of the work of a dental therapist, along with restorative care.
This is available as a major for the Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH).
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Did you know?
An oral health professional can be registered to practise as a dental hygienist or as a dental therapist or both.
Both disciplines are skilled at promoting healthy lifestyles and have a strong awareness of the socio-cultural influences on health.
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Career opportunities
Graduates will meet the requirements for registration as either a dental hygienist or a dental therapist or both.
Graduates will be able to apply knowledge about health and disease to health promotion in education, community development and public policy.
There is a wide range of employment opportunities, which include working in general practices, orthodontic practices, school-based clinics, iwi-based clinics and hospital dental clinics.
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Further info
Please visit our website:
Write to or visit:
Faculty of Dentistry
Walsh Building
310 Great King St
University of Otago
PO Box 647, Dunedin |
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