What is the scope of practice for our new members? President Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, FADHA, asked Jessica Pennay, President of the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association, for an explanation of the various roles played by Oral Health Therapists, Oral Therapists and Dental Therapists. The terms dental therapist, oral health therapist and oral therapist can vary slightly depending on the country or region, but here’s a general distinction:

• Oral Health Therapist (OHT): Professionals who are dually qualified in dental therapy and dental hygiene. They have the biggest scope of practice and provide primary oral health care for children and adults. Services include assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention. This includes restorative treatment, fillings, tooth removal, periodontal treatment, and other oral care to promote healthy oral behaviors. OHT are qualified to provide prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment planning and radiographs to prepare cavities and do restorations. OHT can conduct assessments and perform preventative care, referring more complex work to Dentists.
• In Australia, generally Oral Health Therapists have full scope both in therapy and dental hygiene. Most provide hygiene services for people of all ages and generally extract only deciduous teeth. Some OHTs have adult restorative scope. Whereas Dental Therapists have restorative scope but predominately see children and adolescents.
• Dental Therapist (DT): Focus is oral health. Patients are mainly children and adolescents, but some DTs have a slightly different scope and do see adults. Services include assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention. This includes restorative treatment, fillings, tooth removal, promotion of oral health and other oral care.
• Oral Therapist (OT): This term is less commonly used and can be sometimes used interchangeably with Dental Therapists in certain regions. Generally, the duties are like those of Dental Therapists but in some cases, OT may refer to a professional with a specific focus on therapeutic oral care, including the management of oral disease.
• In Australia, Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapist are recognized dental practitioners and along with Dental Hygienists account for over 20% of the registered dental practitioner workforce. We are referred to collectively as Oral Health Practitioners (OHPs).

We welcome them all to IFDH!