Dentist

Dentists diagnose, treat and prevent diseases, injuries or abnormalities of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues by applying the principles and procedures of modern dentistry. They use specialised diagnostic, surgical and other techniques to promote and restore oral health.

• diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases, injuries or abnormalities of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues using a variety of methods such as radiography, saliva analysis and the patient's medical history;
• providing preventive oral health care such as periodontal treatment, fluoride prophylaxis and oral health promotion;
• administering anaesthetics to reduce the pain experienced by patients during procedures;
• prescribing analgesic medicines to relieve pain after the relevant procedure;
• performing restorative dental procedures such as placing implants, crowns or bridges, making orthodontic corrections, and repairing damaged and decayed teeth;
• providing surgical treatment such as tooth extraction, tissue biopsy and orthodontic treatment;
• taking measurements of the patient's jaws and teeth to determine the type and size of dentures, crowns and bridges;
• instructing dental technicians on the fabrication of dentures, bridges, crowns or other orthodontic appliances;
• restoring patients' oral functions with removable or fixed dentures;
• assisting in the diagnosis of general diseases with oral manifestations, such as diabetes;
• educating patients on preventive oral hygiene;
• supervising dental assistants and other dental support staff.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Dentist
• Dentist, general dentistry
• Dentist, oral surgery
• Dentist, operative dentistry and endodontics
• Dentist, social medicine and public dental health
• Dentist, paediatric dentistry
• Dentist, prosthetic dentistry
• Dentist, orthodontics