Oral health therapist
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in dental clinics or dental practices
- Need to be practical, methodical and responsible
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Check patients' oral health
- Identify dental diseases
- Create treatment plans
- Give advice to prevent future oral issues
- Educate patients on oral hygiene
- Perform dental treatments
- Take and analyse x-rays
- Maintain patient records
- Ensure cultural safety in practice
- Promote oral health in communities
Outlook
Oral health remains an important public health focus in New Zealand, with increasing attention on prevention, early intervention and improving access to care. Advances in digital imaging, preventive treatments and patient education are influencing the profession globally. Efforts to reduce oral health inequalities and encourage lifelong oral health habits are expected to remain key priorities across the sector.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong communication and education skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to build trust with patients
- Empathy and respect for diverse communities
- Commitment to health promotion and prevention
- Professionalism and ethical judgement
Professional registration
Dental Council of New Zealand
04 499 4820
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.