Dental Technician

Overview

As a member of the military, Dental Technicians assist and support Dental Officers in delivering dental services to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and, occasionally, their families and dependants.

• Providing clinical assistance;
• Providing clinical support procedures to include user maintenance and first line repair of dental equipment and disinfection/sterilization procedures;
• Providing laboratory procedures to include fabrication of casts, custom trays, mouthguards and minor repairs to acrylic appliances;
• Providing preventive dentistry measures to include selective rubber cup polishing of coronal tooth surfaces, OHI, and application of anticariogenic and desensitizing agents;
• Providing general dental administrative services;
• Making impressions for study models;
• Removing sutures;
• Applying rubber dam;
• Placing cavity liners;
• Placing temporary restorations;
• Temporarily cementing crowns and bridges;
• Applying topical anesthetic;
• Controlling bleeding;
• Exposing and developing radiographs;
• Providing operational dental support (MOSID 00335 only);
• Responding to patient medical emergencies;
• Applying and removing matrices and wedges;
• Performing pulp vitality testing;
• Applying acid etch and cavity bonding;
• Preparing simple bite registrations;
• Selecting moulds and shades;
• Maintaining the Mobile Dental Clinic and Air Transportable Dental System (if applicable).

Dental Technicians normally work in a military dental clinic. In the field with an Army unit, they may work in a Mobile Dental Clinic or an Air Transportable Dental System. They may also work onboard a ship. Posting locations include bases in Canada and overseas operations.

• Level II Dental Assisting Diploma from an accredited college or National Dental Assisting Examining Board Certificate, including registration/license with the provincial regulatory body.
• At least 900 hours of clinical experience within the last two years (or no experience required if graduated within the last twelve months).

Dental Technicians receive Basic Military Qualification training and a specialized four‑week Dental Technician Course. Additional training opportunities include Dental Emergency Procedures, Dental Clinic Management, Field Dental Support, Instructional Techniques, and Dental Hygiene.

Salary includes full pay, medical and dental care, vacation time, and pension contribution. Reserve Dental Technicians receive 92.8% of Regular Force rates and a reasonable benefits package.