Meet Your Oral Health Care Team

There are many professionals on the health care team who help you take care of your oral health. Each member of the team has a unique and important role to play. This glossary will help you differentiate between each of these oral health professionals and better understand what they do.

Form the seventh largest regulated health profession in Canada with more than 35,000 practitioners
Are primary oral health care professionals who recommend and provide preventive and therapeutic clinical care, education, and health promotion to help improve the oral health of Canadians
Collaborate with other health professionals, including dentists, denturists, physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors and massage therapists
Practise in a variety of settings, including private practice, public health units, hospitals and long-term care facilities, educational institutions, dental industry, and even in the client’s home using mobile equipment
Use innovative approaches to oral health care delivery to improve access to care, with many (6%) having established their own practice outside of a traditional dental office
Are graduates of accredited programs offered by 34 colleges and universities across Canada