A denturist is a professional who fits patients for removable dentures. Most dentists refer patients to denturists if they need dentures. Some might employ denturists in their offices, depending upon the needs of their patients.
Is it a smart career move though?
The Training
Denturists complete specialized programs, separate from dental hygienists and dentists. While much of the same knowledge applies, denturism also has its own specialized subjects and areas of expertise.
Programs will prepare future denturists to fit and provide dentures for their patients. Students …show more content…
will learn about every step of the process, from initial assessments and evaluations to imaging and fitting the dentures.
You’ll also cover aspects of working in the dental field, such as hygiene and legal requirements.
The Work Environment
As mentioned, denturists usually work as private practitioners, operating their own clinics.
They may be employed on a small team with a clinic. More rarely, they might work with other dental professionals.
Where and how you work depends both on you and the area you practice in. If you live in a large urban area, there may be more opportunities to work as part of a team. If you’re hoping to live and work in a small town, you may need to open your own clinic.
What you do also depends on your future career goals. For those who want to be their own boss, the idea of running a private clinic is exciting! Others might prefer to work in a team to provide more comprehensive dental care.
How Much Can You Make?
You’re probably wondering a bit about the financial outlook for your career. After all, salary is often a large factor in people’s career choices. So, what can a denturist in Canada make?
On average, denturists in Canada make around $60,000 per year. Experience does play a role in how much you’ll be paid, but not as much as some other jobs. For example, denturists in the latter stages of their careers can make up to $100,000.
What you make will also depend on where you work. Denturists living in big, urban centres might not make as much as those living in more rural areas where there are fewer professionals to compete
with.
Your employer might also offer additional compensation, such as bonuses or a profit-sharing structure.
A Growing Demand
Still not convinced denturism is the right path for you? Here’s something else to consider: There will be growing demand for denturists in Canada.
Why? Canada’s population is getting greyer. In 2016, there were more senior citizens than there were youth aged 0 to 15 across the country. By 2036, seniors are expected to make up around 25 percent of the entire Canadian population!
People are also living longer. There are more centenarians than there were in the past. The average lifespans of both Canadian men and women are getting longer.
This is good news for denturists. As people age, their dental health tends to decline, even if they’ve taken relatively good care of their teeth. Many more people will need to be fitted for partial and full dentures in the near future.
An Excellent Choice
It should be clear: Denturism is a smart career choice. While there are other factors that should play into your decision to pursue denturism, the growing demand for denturists will make this an excellent career to be in for the foreseeable future.