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Your role as a dental prosthetist
As a dental prosthetist, you’ll prescribe and make dental devices that people wear to improve their teeth, bite or oral function (prosthetics).
This includes:
- assessing and treating patients
- designing and producing custom devices
- making sure devices fit well and support dental health.
We have full time, part time and casual roles.
You can also work with us while you study for your undergraduate degree as part of our students in dentistry program.
How a dental prosthetist is different from a dental technician
Dental prosthetists assess and treat people who need removable dental prosthetics. They have a university degree and are a registered dental professional. A dental technician works under a dental prosthetist. They help to make prosthetic devices but don’t see patients.
What your day might look like
If you work in one of our hospitals or clinics, you’ll start the day checking in with your team and preparing for appointments with patients.
You’ll check their teeth, mouth, gums, jaw and bone structure, and provide treatments like:
- false teeth and gums (dentures)
- plates that replace missing or damaged bone or tissue (maxillofacial prosthetics)
- devices that align, stabilise or protect the jaw and teeth (mouthguards and splints).
After taking moulds and measurements, you’ll return to your lab to create digital and 3D models of your patient’s mouth, jaw or face.
A big part of your day will be making or repairing devices to precise standards. You’ll use a range of materials and techniques, including:
- design software and 3D printers
- plaster casts, metal casts and wax moulds
- wire bending and spot welding
- metal polishing, electroplating, sandblasting and ceramics.
You’ll check they fit patients, explain how to use them, and make any changes or improvements.
Read more about dental prosthetists on the Your Career website.
Qualifications
You'll have one of the following qualifications.
- Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics
- Bachelor’s degree in dental prosthetics or oral health with a major in prosthetics
Professional registration
You'll need to be registered with the Dental Board of Australia.
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. In your first year you’ll start at health practitioner grade 3, pay point 0. You'll get a different rate if you're a student or don’t have a university degree.
We also offer:
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- salary packaging
- help with ongoing professional development costs.
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Professional growth
You’ll develop your professional skills through:
- orientation programs for new staff
- workplace learning and coaching
- self-directed learning
- professional development and upskilling opportunities.
Career paths
Getting experience as a dental prosthetist and doing more study can lead to other roles.
- Dentist
- Dental specialist (prosthodontics)
- Dental service manager
If you plan to do more study, ask your training provider if your past studies can count towards a higher qualification.