The Dental Team

The traditional dental team consists of a dentist, a dental hygienist, one or more dental assistants and one or more receptionists and office managers.

Dental Assistants

Dental Assistants assist the dentist while the dentist is treating the patient. Dental Assistants who are certified with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals may be directed by the dentist to carry out certain procedures on patients, including:

  • Taking X-rays
  • Placing rubber dams
  • Taking impressions
  • Polishing teeth

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Office Management and Reception

Office managers and receptionists are vital members of the dental team and are the "face and smile" of the office. They schedule patients, look after website content, do electronic billing, manage charts and month-end reports, and assist patients with dental insurance claim forms.

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists are trained in oral hygiene procedures which they may undertake in the dental office, including:

  • Scaling and polishing teeth
  • Providing fluoride treatments
  • Providing oral hygiene instruction and counselling

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Dentists

Dentists and certified dental specialists are highly trained, skilled professionals, and are the leaders of the dental team within a dental office. The dentist is the only member of the dental team qualified to diagnose and treat dental disease and will perform many familiar procedures.