When it comes to oral healthcare, two professionals that are commonly confused are oral health therapists and dentists. While they may have similar roles in promoting oral health, there are some key differences between the two professions. In this response, I’ll highlight the main differences between oral health therapists and dentists, including their training, scope of practice, and responsibilities.
Main Differences between Oral Health Therapist and Dentist:
- Training: Dentists have completed a university degree in dentistry, which typically takes 5-6 years of full-time study. They are trained in diagnosing and treating a wide range of oral health conditions, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Oral health therapists, on the other hand, have completed a 3-year degree in oral health therapy. They are trained in preventative and restorative dental care, including scaling and cleaning teeth, applying fluoride treatments, and placing fillings.
- Scope of Practice: Dentists have a broader scope of practice than oral health therapists. They are licensed to diagnose and treat a wide range of oral health conditions, including complex cases that may require surgery or other advanced treatments. Dentists may also provide orthodontic treatment, which involves correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. Oral health therapists, on the other hand, are limited to providing preventative and restorative dental care, such as cleaning teeth, applying fluoride treatments, and placing fillings.
- Responsibilities: Dentists have a range of responsibilities in addition to diagnosing and treating oral health conditions. They may also manage dental practices, including hiring and training staff, managing finances, and maintaining patient records. They are also responsible for staying up-to-date with the latest developments in dentistry and ensuring that their practice meets relevant standards and regulations. Oral health therapists typically work under the supervision of a dentist and focus primarily on providing preventative and restorative dental care.
- Cost: In general, the cost of seeing an oral health therapist is less than seeing a dentist. This is because oral health therapists are limited in their scope of practice and may not be able to provide the same level of care as a dentist.
In conclusion, oral health therapists and dentists play different roles in promoting oral health. Dentists have completed a university degree in dentistry and have a broader scope of practice, while oral health therapists have completed a 3-year degree in oral health therapy and focus primarily on preventative and restorative dental care. Dentists have a range of responsibilities, including managing dental practices, while oral health therapists typically work under the supervision of a dentist. The cost of seeing an oral health therapist is generally less than seeing a dentist.