Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
| Job Prospects | Good, employment for this occupation is expected to be moderate to 2011. |
|---|---|
| Salary Range | $28,000 to $32,000 |
| Brief | Next time you bite into an apple think about how'd you cope without a healthy set of teeth. Dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental technicians all work closely with dentists in the care and treatment of teeth and gums. There are currently around 1,730 dental assistants employed in South Australia. Half are employed full-time and most work in the health and community services industry. Most persons in this occupation are female and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This occupation has a younger age profile with less than a fifth of dental assistants aged 45 years or older. |
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TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for:
Dental Workers/ Dental Assistants
Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene)
Diploma of Dental Technology
Certificate III in Dental Assisting
Introduction
Its about prevention rather than cure - dentistry has been so proactive about tooth and gum care that dental workers are dealing with fewer cavities and tooth decay than a decade ago. It may seem that they are working themselves out of a job! But that's not the case at all. As the population ages and people become more aware of the value of their teeth, dental hygienists, assistants and technicians are in medium to high demand.
Similar Interests?
Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:
Medical
Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker, Dental Workers/ Dental Assistants, Nursing (enrolled), Patient Care Assistant, Veterinarian, Veterinary Nurse
Education Requirements
Of those employed in the industry currently 25% of Dental Assistants have a Certificate I or II, 11% have a Certificate III or IV and 10% have an Advanced Diploma or Diploma. While 47% have no post school qualifications it is recommended that further study be undertaken to remain competitive when apply for work in these careers.
TAFE SA offer the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation: Certificate III Dental Assisting; Certificate IV Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography); or the Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene). Still Unsure? Then enrol in a short course also offered through TAFE SA such as Introduction to Certificate III in Dental Assisting. For further information about these and related courses go to the TAFE SA website at http://www.tafe.sa.edu.au.
There are also opportunities to be involved in Traineeships in this area. In 2005 31 traineeships in the dental area were undertaken. For more details about Apprenticeships and Traineeships please contact the New Apprenticeship centre on 1800 673 097.
Career Path
Most dental assistants are employed by dentists in private practices and clinics. Some dental assistants undertake further study to become dental hygienists. Others gain further administrative experience and possibly qualifications to progress to practice management.
According to the latest figures, all these positions show slight growth for the next few years, as the ageing population increases and education about oral health and disease prevention continues. Job prospects for dental hygienists in both city and rural areas look positive.
Industry
Health and Community Services
Interview
Rachel Heeps - Dental
“I didn’t have experience in the area before I started but I was able to learn on the job as well as use the skills I got at TAFE back in the workplace.”
When Rachel finished school in 1998 her first choice for further study and employment focused on what she was good at: information technology (for which she had received a perfect score in her year 12 exams). She decided to apply to study a Diploma of Business Administration and was successful, starting the next year, in 1999. After a year in this course, however, Rachel noticed an advertisement for a dental assistant and decided that she might as well give it a go. Partly her decision was based on the fact that this advertisement wanted a dental trainee; which meant that someone without experience, like Rachel, could have a go at applying. Much to her surprise Rachel was successful so she deferred her business administration studies.
For Rachel, the combination of working and studying at the same time was terrific. As a trainee, she worked four days a week and attended TAFE on the other day. Freely admitting that she didn’t know anything before starting the job, Rachel says that she was able to learn on the job as well as use the skills she gained at TAFE back in the workplace. Since she had already attended TAFE this wasn’t a new experience for her and she found her studies rewarding and fulfilling. In fact, she admits to feeling a bit strange if she’s not studying and she’s presently considering applying to the Bachelor of Oral Health which will extend her skills and employment opportunities in the dental area.
She’s also completing studies in intra-oral radiography at TAFE, which will enable her to become licensed to take dental radiographs, thus also widening the scope of her skills and employment prospects for the future.
Rachel was Trainee of the Year at the South Australian Training Awards in 2001, an award which recognises Rachel’s achievements both in her training and in her wider skills and abilities.
Nature of the Job
Dental hygienists work with dentists to educate people about oral care and to provide dental treatment, such as polishing and cleaning teeth. They spend time showing their patients how to floss and brush properly. They also assist dentists by taking X-rays and impressions of teeth. Dental (or chair side) assistants greet and prepare clients for examinations. It is their responsibility to prepare and sterilise dental equipment. Not only do they assist dentists, hygienists and technicians in the dental work, they also provide clerical assistance. More people work as assistants than the hygienists and technicians combined. Dental technicians work in laboratories making things like bridges, crowns and dentures. They work closely with dentists and may not have any direct contact with patients unless they have qualified further as a dental prosthetist.
Typical Physical Working Environment
Work in this field requires good manual dexterity and the ability to perform precision work. Equally important is the ability to communicate well and to work as a member of a team. For hygienists, it is essential to have good people skills, especially as you'll be spending a lot of time in close proximity to a client, peering down their mouth! Good organisational skills and the ability to juggle a variety of tasks at once are some of the necessary traits required in the trade. Dental hygienists and assistants work in dental clinics. Their working hours are generally Monday To Friday, from 8.30am to 5pm. Many clinics are open at least one evening per week and on Saturday mornings. Technicians work in a lab usually from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Typical Occupational Example
Most dental workers are employed in the medical and dental services industry, while the rest are spread throughout other health, education and community services.
For further information, contact:
Australian Dental Association (SA)
PO Box 858 Unley SA 5061
Ph: (08) 8272 8111
Fax: (08) 8272 4357
Email: adasa@adasa.asn.au
Internet Address: http://www.ada.org.au
Australian Institute of Dental Assistants (SA)
PO Box 218 Oaklands Park SA 5046
Email: info@daaa.asn.au
Internet Address: http://www.daaa.asn.au
Dental Board of South Australia
PO Box 4002 Norwood South SA 5067
Ph: (08) 8364 5358
Fax: (08) 8364 5357
Email: dbsa@bigpond.com
Earning Potential
Salaries vary depending on the level of experience. Dental assistants start out at around $25,000 per year and can climb to $32,000. Graduate hygienists and technicians earn more, with salaries starting at about $28,000 and reaching as high as $45,000.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au
This Career Profile information was last modified: 26/10/2007 2:31:12 PM
The information was accurate at the time of publication. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary
