Dental Technician
What They Do
Dental Technicians are the members of the Canadian Forces Health Services Health Care Team who are
responsible (with Dental Officers) for delivering dental services to Canadian Forces members and
occasionally, their dependants.
A Dental Technician has the following primary duties:
- Assist the Dental Officer, performing the full range of chairside duties;
- Perform preventive dentistry procedures and deliver preventive dentistry instruction;
- Produce dental x-rays and preliminary impressions for study casts;
- Perform clinical dental laboratory procedures;
- Perform preventive maintenance on dental equipment;
- Manage dental supplies and records;
- Drive and maintain the Mobile Dental Clinic; and
- Operate and maintain the Air Transportable Dental System.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants for the Dental Technician occupation must have a Level II Dental Assisting Diploma from an
accredited Community College program or be holder of a National Dental Assisting Examining Board Certificate.
They must also be tactful, serene under pressure, comfortable working in a team, and happiest when working
with people. The work involves long periods of close attention, and requires extreme accuracy and unfailing
consideration for patients’ comfort and welfare.
Training
Basic Military Qualification
The first stage of training for everyone is the Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course 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 CF physical fitness standard, as a result, the training is physically demanding. BMQ covers
the following topics:
- Policies and regulations of the Canadian Forces;
- CF drill, dress and deportment (the “three D’s”);
- Basic safety;
- First aid;
- Personal survival in nuclear, biological and chemical conditions;
- Handling and firing personal weapons;
- Cross-country navigation; and
- Personal survival in field conditions.
Basic Military Occupational Training
After BMQ, Dental Technicians go on to Basic Military Occupation (MOC) Training. The first portion of
this course is four weeks at the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics at CFB Borden. The
course material consists of driver training, which focuses on the Medium Logistics Vehicle, Wheeled (MLVW),
with the Mobile Dental Clinic trailer.
The second portion of this course, after Driver training, is the four-week Direct Entry Dental Technician
Course, at the Canadian Forces Dental Services School at CFB Borden. This course focuses on field operations
and dental clinic administration.
Career Development
Opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training are very good for Dental Technicians. In addition
they are eligible for training as a Dental Hygienist.
Initial Employment
On completion of basic MOC training, a Dental Technician is posted to a dental clinic in Canada.
Advanced MOC Training and Specialty Training
Personnel who demonstrate the required ability and ambition will undertake advanced occupational training through formal courses as they progress in their careers.
- Palliative Dental Emergency Procedures
- Dental Clinic Management
- Field Dental Support
The following specialty courses may also be available:
- Instructional Techniques
- Dental Hygiene
Working Environment
When serving in a static unit (on a base or station), a Dental Technician normally works in a professional
dental office. When in the field with an Army unit, he or she may work in a Mobile Dental Clinic (a self-contained
shelter) or in tented accommodations with an Air Transportable Dental System. When serving onboard a ship,
Dental Technicians work in cramped but comfortable quarters. When serving in operational areas, Dental Technicians
may be exposed to combat-related risks.
Normal levels of physical and mental stress are found when employed on a base, but stresses increase considerably when on exercise in the field or deployed on operations.
Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Dental Technicians’ health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
Related Civilian Occupations
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
