Dental therapist

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A dental therapist is a licensed dental auxiliary in some countries, who specializes in treating children's teeth and oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the duties therapists are able to perform. Typically, therapists under the prescription of a dentist are licensed to examine children's teeth, administer restricted techniques of local anesthesia, take radiographs, provide sealants, scaling and cleaning in children. Also restoring primary teeth and vital pulp treatments such as pulpotomies.

Local dental regulations are constantly changing to include extended duties and exemptions for dental therapists.

[edit] By country or state

In the UK a dental therapist can treat children and adults, with direct restorations, oral hygiene treatment and extraction of deciduous teeth.

In Alaska, dental therapists may practice basic surgical procedures. In order to become a dental therapist a person must complete a three year educational program in either New Zealand or Canada, pass an examination and return to rural Alaska licensed to practice.

In Australia, therapists mainly work for state government school dental programs, treating children's teeth. Regulation restrictions include: reading of periapical radiographs, restoring adult teeth in children above grade 10 and restoring non-vital teeth.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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