Introduction
Becoming a dentist is a huge achievement resulting from years of education and training. Since dentists play an integral role in maintaining oral health and dental care in a community, they deserve a rewarding career.
For international dentists, clearing the Australian Dental Council (ADC) exam is a significant milestone. Once you've passed this impo exam, a world of opportunities opens up in the land Down Under.
In this blog, we'll go through the various career options available for dentists after successfully clearing the Australian Dental Council exam.
What is the ADC Exam?
International dentists can become registered dentists in Australia. For this, the Australian Dental Council exam must be cleared.
The Australian Dental Council is an independent accreditation authority that tirelessly works to protect the health and safety of the community by ensuring that the international dentists seeking registration in Australia meet the high standards required of dental professionals in Australia.
Therefore, the Australian Dental Council exam is a thorough assessment of the skills and knowledge of international candidates seeking registration with the Dental Board of Australia.
The ADC exam has 3 stages:
- The initial assessment
- The written examination
- The practical examination
Job Options After Clearing the ADC Exam
If you have conquered the ADC exam, you will have incredible career opportunities awaiting you in Australia. You can choose to work in different spheres such as private practices, public health dentistry, dental specialisation and so on.
Depending on the assessment pathway that you choose, there are certain roles that can be taken up by international dentists in Australia.
- General dentists
- Dental hygienists
- Dental therapists
- Oral health therapists
- Dental prosthetists
General Dentist
A general dentist performs all the primary procedures in order to ensure the dental health of the patient. Their functions include carrying out oral screenings to find out diseases and infections, removing tooth decay and plaque, offering preventive dental care, performing tooth extractions and root canals, teeth whitening, etc.
Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist obtains the dental and health history of the patient before proceeding with anything. The patient's history will help them get an idea about the previous dental treatment received by the patient, analyse oral health risks, and decide on appropriate medication. They mainly conduct teeth cleaning to remove stains or plaque from the teeth, take dental X-rays, educate patients about proper oral care, and help them maintain their dental health.
Dental Therapist
The role of a dental therapist is almost similar to that of a dental hygienist. The role of a dental therapist includes executing more complex treatments on primary teeth, involving the nerve of the tooth, placement of temporary tooth fillings and re-cementing of crowns.
They provide you with treatment plans that can meet your individual oral health requirements.
Oral Health Therapists
Oral health therapists provide comprehensive dental care for adults, adolescents, and children. They educate their patients about dental care and encourage them to be conscious about their oral health. Apart from functions like oral screening, tooth extractions, and tooth restoration, they also treat gum diseases, dental decay, etc.
Dental Prosthetist
Dental prosthetists play an important role in replacing missing teeth with artificial teeth that appear real and perform the functions of real teeth.
They do this by taking the impression of the patient's mouth and creating models with substances like plastic and wax. They maintain, repair, and reline dentures as and when required. Dentist prosthetists also provide mouthguards to the patients.
What are the Top Qualities Needed in a Dentist?
Dentists have a vital part in promoting dental care and maintaining the overall oral health of the public. However, it is important that they possess certain qualities to provide the best for their patients.
Let's take a look at some of the most sought-after qualities of a dental practitioner.
Dental practitioners should adopt a caring and empathetic attitude to make themselves more approachable to their patients. They must be patient and possess remarkable communication skills and create a safe setting for their patients. They should have time management and organisation skills to deliver the best.
Conclusion
Clearing the ADC exam opens doors to numerous career opportunities for dentists in Australia. Whether you choose general dentistry, dental hygiene, dental therapy, oral health therapy or dental prosthetics, your journey in the world of dentistry can be both professionally and personally rewarding.
Building a career in a country like Australia can add to your quality of life, career enhancement, and financial stability.
If you dream of becoming a registered dentist in Australia, the experts at Academically can guide you from start to finish.
Fill up this form for a free one on one counselling session.
