Queensland Health employs a range of oral health staff to deliver oral health care to eligible clients. The composition of teams may vary between clinics. However, teams generally consist of the following staff: Dentists, Dental Specialists, Oral health Therapists, Dental Therapists, Dental Prosthetists, Dental Technicians, Dental Assistants and Administration Officers.
The following list provides a brief overview of the role of each of our team members:
Dentists provide a full range of general dental services to clients of all ages in a variety of settings. Dentists working for Queensland Health may also be employed in 'team leader' roles where they supervise the work of the team and mentor junior team members.
Dental Specialists are graduate Dentists who have completed further dental studies to 'specialise' in a particular area of dentistry such as endodontics, oral pathology and oral medicine, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics. Dental Specialists are registered with the Dental Board of Queensland.
Oral Health Therapists are dually qualified Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists and are registered with the Dental Board of Queensland in both disciplines. Oral Health Therapists provide dental therapy services to children, adolescents and dental hygiene services to clients of all ages. Oral Health Therapists are also qualified to lead individual, group and community oral health promotion strategies.
Dental Therapists provide dental therapy services to children and adolescents. Dental Therapists are registered with the Dental Board of Queensland.
Dental Prosthetists are qualified Dental Technicians who have completed further dental studies to enable them to work directly with clients for the construction and maintenance of removal prosthetic appliances (dentures). Dental Prosthetists are registered with the Dental Technicians and Prosthetists Board of Queensland.
Dental Technicians perform the technical laboratory tasks involved in the fabrication of prosthetic appliances such as dentures (false teeth) and other appliances including crowns, bridges and mouthguards. Dental Technicians are registered with the Dental Technicians and Prosthetists Board of Queensland.
Dental Assistants provide assistance to Dentists, Oral Health Therapists and Dental Therapists in providing care to clients. Dental Assistants may have additional qualifications, skills and experience to enable them to take dental radiographs (x-rays) and provide health promotion and preventive advice to patients.
Administration Officers are critical to the smooth functioning of oral health facilities within Queensland Health. Administration Officers play a key role in scheduling and confirming appointments, record maintenance and in ensuring clients are made to feel welcome at their first point of telephone or face-to-face contact with our Service.
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