Denturists

Nature of work

Denturists examine patients and design, make, and repair removable dentures. Most denturists work in private practice.

Job duties

Denturists:

• Measure patients' jaws to determine size and shape of dentures required.
• Make impressions of patients' teeth, gums, and jaws.
• Design and make dentures or direct other workers to construct dentures.
• Insert, fit, and modify new dentures.
• Repair dentures.
• Reline, rebase, and adjust dentures.
• Make mouth protectors, anti-snoring prostheses, and removable prostheses on implants.
• May order radiographs.
• May prepare partial dentures.
• May perform denture whitening and cleaning.

Sample job titles

• dental mechanic
• dental mechanic apprentice
• denture mechanic
• denture technician
• denture therapist
• denturist
• denturologist

Skills

• You should have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Patience and the ability to handle stressful situations may be needed. You must be efficient and accurate, yet sensitive to the needs of patients. Hand-eye coordination and an aptitude for detailed and precise work are necessary. Artistic ability may also be helpful.

Job requirements

• A two- or three-year college program in denturism/denturology is required.
• An internship in a registered denture clinic may be required.
• Licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.

Other considerations

• Most denturists work in private practice and work standard office hours. They may work longer hours, especially if they are self-employed.

Regulations

Contacts

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