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Denturist

Denturists are primary health-care providers who specialize in oral prosthesis (full, partial, and implant-supported dentures). They assess, design, make, repair, and insert complete and removable partial dentures. Working together with other professionals, they diagnose related health-care problems.

Denturists are trained in clinical and laboratory procedures for the required treatments.

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 3221: Denturists

2006 NOC-S

  • D221: Denturists

2011 NOC

  • 3221: Denturists

2016 NOC

  • 3221: Denturists

2021 NOC

  • 32110: Denturists

2023 OaSIS

  • 32110.00: Denturists
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Denturists work with patients one-on-one. In general, they:

  • Consult with clients
  • Assess dental prosthetic problems
  • Develop treatment plans
  • Perform intra-oral (in-mouth) and lab procedures required to design and make various dental prosthetic devices
  • Insert devices to ensure a proper and comfortable fit
  • Repair, realign, and adjust devices as required
  • Create and maintain patient records

Denturists may use a variety of instruments, machinery, and materials to make dental prosthetic devices. Materials include:

  • Gypsum
  • Waxes
  • Metals
  • Plastics
  • Chemical solutions

Denturists may also provide related services, such as fitting sport mouthguards and whitening teeth.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Most denturists own and operate their own denture clinics, usually with onsite labs. Some denturists work within other denture clinics. Some denturists provide services in health-care facilities, private homes, or educational institutions.

Denturists work standard office hours. They may work longer hours, especially if they are self-employed.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Denturists
2023 OaSIS: 32110.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Denturists need:

  • The ability to concentrate
  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Adaptability and creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Fine motor skills
  • Patience and persistence
  • Communication skills (especially listening skills)

They should enjoy:

  • Working with the public
  • Working methodically
  • Solving problems
  • Learning new information and applying it in their practice
  • Working with precision tools and equipment

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Denturists

2016 NOC: 3221

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 15 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 16, 2021 and Dec 15, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Fit, adjust and repair dentures
Tasks: Take measurement to determine size and shape of dentures
Tasks: Make impression and mould of teeth, gums and jaws
Tasks: Construct dentures
Tasks: Direct other denturists to construct dentures
Tasks: Re-line and re-base dentures
Construct dentures
Fit, adjust and repair dentures
Direct other denturists to construct dentures
Take measurement to determine size and shape of dentures
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 3 years post-secondary

The minimum educational requirement is a 3-year denturist training program (or equivalent, as determined by the College) approved by the College of Alberta Denturists.

Program graduates must complete registration examinations administered by the College of Alberta Denturists as part of the requirements for registration.

Denturists should also have standard first aid and basic life support training.

Required Education

The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Provincially regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Denturist

Denturists assess, diagnose, and treat persons missing some or all their natural teeth. They restore and maintain the function and appearance of teeth. They design, construct, repair, alter, and fit full, partial, and implant-supported dentures.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Denturists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Alberta Denturists is mandatory. Only regulated members may provide restricted activities specified in the regulations. This includes those who:

  • Meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public
  • Manufacture dental appliances
  • Teach, manage, and conduct research in the profession
  • Supervise registered members or students who provide services to the public
  • Call themselves denturists, registered denturists, or provisional denturists

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Denturist.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Once denturists have registered as regulated members of the College of Alberta Denturists and have a practice permit, they may work for employers or operate their own denture clinics.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Denturists
2016 NOC: 3221

80.4% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Denturists
2021 NOC: 32110
Warm
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Denturists
2016 NOC: 3221
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
6
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Registered denturists can earn $55,000 - $85,000 a year depending on years of experience (2018 estimate).

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

College of Alberta Denturists website: www.abdenturists.ca

Denturist Association of Alberta website: denturistassociationofalberta.com

Denturist Association of Canada website: www.denturist.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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