Dental Prosthetist

You may be interested in a career as a Dental Prosthetist if you're the sort of person who:

• Enjoys working with tools/equipment and has an interest in computer technologies
• Possesses a high degree of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• Is able to apply precise attention to detail to your work
• Possesses an artistic flair for form and design
• Is able to use your time effectively and is highly organised
• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Is proficient in writing reports and acting on those sent to them
• Listens well and is sensitive to the needs of others and
• Has an active interest in the provision of high quality patient care

As a dental prosthetist, you will be engaged in the manufacture of partial and complete dentures, and mouthguards, consulting directly with patients.

Registered nationally to consult with patients directly in your own clinic or public/private practice, you are able to practise your profession in every state and territory in Australia without restriction.

A typical day

Though your role is concerned primarily with the creation of dentures and mouthguards, you will also be engaged in a great many other activities by virtue of your daily patient contact.

These might include;

• Referring patients with more complex issues to a dentist or specialist dentist
• Creating impressions of peoples' teeth so you can make customised dentures and mouthguards
• Ensuring the finished denture and mouthguards fits appropriately
• Maintaining and repairing existing dental prostheses
• Educating patients on oral health hygiene techniques

The places you can work

Largely employed in commercial, public and private dental laboratories, or running your own clinic, you can also find employment as dental technician, an educator or researcher, sales and marketing manager in the dental industry, an inventor of new processes or an editor working for a professional publication.

Obtaining the necessary qualifications

Prosthetists begin their careers as dental technicians working under the supervision of a dentist before either completing an Advanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics or a Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Prosthetics.

For a full range of institutions offering these courses of study, please consult the Australian Health Pracitioner Regulation Agency.  

Your professional association is the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA).

Regulatory requirements

To practise as a dental prosthetist, you need to be registered with the Dental Board of Australia.

In line with all other dental practitioners, you will need to complete a minimum of 60 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities over a three year period (if you register at any time through this period, you will have to complete a pro rata number of hours).

You will also be expected to comply with the codes and guidelines issued by the Dental Board of Australia which stipulate, among other requirements, that you may only practise the profession for which you are educated and trained.