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DISCOVER
THE HIGH STAKES WORLD OF A DENTAL TECHNICIAN.
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PREPARE
FOR A LOOK INSIDE THE SKILL, EXPERTISE AND DEDICATION BEHIND THE OCCUPATION.
JOIN
SERGEANT JESSICA SUTHERLAND AS THEY WALK YOU THROUGH A DAY IN THE LIFE.
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.
A Dental Technician has the following primary duties:
- 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; and
- Depending on their location, they may be called upon to maintain the Mobile Dental Clinic and Air Transportable Dental System.
Work environment
Dental Technicians normally work in a military dental clinic. When 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. Dental Technicians may be posted to a base within Canada or deployed on operations around the world.
If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.
Related Civilian Occupations
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
Training
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Learn more about Basic Training here.
Dental Technicians attend the Dental Technician Course at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario. The Dental Technician Course is a four-week program focused on field operations and dental clinic administration.
Applicants who enrol under the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program (NCMSTEP) will have the opportunity to complete a portion, or all of their Basic Occupational Qualification Training at an approved Canadian college, university, other postsecondary establishment.
Dental Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through professional development and on-the-job training, including:
- Dental Emergency Procedures;
- Dental Clinic Management; and
- Field Dental Support.
As they progress in their career, Dental Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- Instructional Techniques; and
- Dental Hygiene.
Entry plans
If you already have a Level II Dental Assisting Diploma from an accredited College or a National Dental Assisting Examining Board Certificate, including a registration/license with the provincial regulatory body where applicable (provincial regulatory organizations) and at least 900 hours of clinical experience within the last two years (no experience is required if you have graduated within the last twelve months), the CAF may place you directly into any of the 24 military dental clinics following basic training. Basic training is required before being assigned to a military dental clinic.
Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP).
Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive a full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the CAF and be accepted at the appropriate accredited College.
For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca
Learn more about our Paid Education programs here.
Part time options
For the most part, Dental Technicians serve in the Regular Force. There are limited opportunities for serving in the Reserve Force as a Dental Technician.
As a Dental Technician in the Reserve Force, you must have a Level II Dental Assisting Diploma from an accredited college and hold a current unrestricted dental assistant license by a Canadian provincial regulatory authority. You must have the ability to maintain clinical currency within your civilian workplace.
In the event of a personnel insufficiency at one of the military dental clinics, a Reserve Dental Technician may be called upon to work part-time or full-time at a clinic.
Find a Recruiting CentreReserve Force members may be offered a part-time or full-time position at a Canadian Forces dental clinic if the need arises. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.
