Denturists

(NOC 3221)

in All Health

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

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Health

Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 4385 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Denturists most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.

The median employment income for 38% of Denturists who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$25,896

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Health

Hourly Pay

$16.38

Minimum

$25.50

Median

$41.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,740

Minimum

$43,853

Median

$88,944

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

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

Job duties

Denturists perform some or all of the following duties:
Measure patients' jaws to determine size and shape of dentures required.
Make impressions of patients' teeth, gums and jaws.
Design and construct dentures or direct other workers to construct dentures.
Insert, fit and modify new dentures.
Repair dentures.
Reline, rebase and adjust dentures.
Fabricate 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

To work in this field, 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

Completion of 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.

By the numbers

Quick look

< 50

employed in 2016

87.5%

employed full-time

100.0%

self employed

42.9%

57.1%

56.7

median age

Compared to: All Health

36,515

employed in 2016

77.1%

employed full-time

10.2%

self employed

83.6%

16.4%

43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.9%

Halifax

42.9%

Northern

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

37.5%

Other Industries

37.5%

Textiles, Furniture and Other Manufacturing

25.0%

Health Care and Social Assistance

What is the age of Employment?

60.0%

35-44

40.0%

65+

40.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Health

31.4%

45-54

27.6%

35-44

20.5%

55-64

15.2%

25-34

4.9%

65+

Top levels of education

75.0%

College certificate or diploma

$52,781 median annual income

25.0%

University certificate or diploma

$53,351 median annual income

Compared to: All Health

39.4%

College certificate or diploma

$36,693 median annual income

27.6%

Bachelor's degree

$57,186 median annual income

7.2%

Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry

$83,000 median annual income

6.9%

High school

$24,119 median annual income

5.1%

Master's degree

$87,808 median annual income

Education & training

Dental laboratory technology/technician

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of dentists, to design and construct dental prostheses such as caps, crowns, bridges, dentures, splints, and orthodontic appliances. These programs include courses in dental anatomy, dental materials, ceramics technology, impressions, complete dentures, partial dentures, orthodontics, crowns and bridges, sculpture, bonding and assembly techniques, and equipment operation.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Denturist

Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated and the job title is protected in Nova Scotia (you may not use this job title without holding a provincial licence). A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to work in this job.

Regulating body:

Denturist Licensing Board of Nova Scotia

PO Box 22009

Halifax, NS B3L 4T7

(902) 420-1251

(902) 422-2910

denturistboard@ns.sympatico.ca

Website