Denturists
3221 - Denturists
Analytical text
Type of work
Denturists examine patients and design, construct and repair removable dentures.
For the full and official description of this occupation according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC), visit the NOC site.
Examples of Occupational Titles
Dental mechanic;
denturist;
denturologist.
Outlook
Job prospects in this occupation are fair.
(Update: November 2010)
Over the past few years, the number of denturists has remained fairly stable, primarily because of the reduced number of extractions performed by dentists and competition by the latter on the dental prosthesis market. Given that these trends should continue, their number is expected to continue to remain fairly stable over the next few year.
Sources of employment
Opportunities will result mainly from positions left vacant by denturists taking retirement or changing occupations.
Labour pool
These jobs are primarily open to graduates with a Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in denturology. Since unemployment is almost non-existent in this occupation, very few jobs will be filled by unemployed denturists with experience. Moreover, since this occupation attracts a certain number of immigrants, some openings could be filled by denturists who have immigrated to Quebec. Immigrants held about 11% of the jobs in 2006, according to Census data, compared with 12% for all occupations.
Although the number of jobs is limited, the placement rate for graduates with a DEC in denturology was very good and the unemployment rate is very low until 2006, according to the Quebec Department of Education, Recreation and Sport's Relance survey. These graduates benefited from the very low numbers (always fewer than 20 graduates). The great majority of workers in this occupation are self-employed (about 90% in 2006, according to Census data, ranking this occupation first in this respect among the 520 occupations in the Job Futures/Quebec inventory) and nothing is stopping these self-employed workers from practising this occupation, despite market saturation. The employment income of these graduates has almost always been lower than that of other graduates in technical training. Since they have spent at least three years in school and invested heavily in the equipment required for their work, it is not surprising that they try to penetrate the denturology market once they have completed their education. However, some of the graduates leave this occupation after a few years because of lack of clientele.
The situation could get worse over the next few years. In addition to lagging growth in demand for denturology services (see Trends below), the number of enrolments jumped from about 20 from 1999-2000 to 2001-2002 to an average over 35 from 2002-2003 to 2007-2008. While the labour market situation for the first four cohorts comprising over 20 graduates was acceptable from 2007 to 2010, it was not quite as good as that for the previous cohorts. Since the number of graduates will remain above 20 over the next few years, it would be surprising if their labour market situation were as good as before.
Industries
According to census data, in 2006 more than 76% of denturists worked in the health care and social assistance sector. About 54% could be found in denturists' offices and 21% in dentists' offices, thus ensuring the provision of complementary services. Most of denturists not in the health field worked directly for denture manufacturing firms (22%).
Trends
Employment in this area is affected by various opposing trends. As far as the negative aspects are concerned, accessibility to dental health programs, dental hygiene prevention and promotion efforts in daycare centres and schools, and heightened public awareness of health issues in general have brought about a noticeable improvement in dental health over the past few years. Dentists are also now focusing more on repair, maintenance and hygiene than extraction, thus reducing the pool of potential clients for dentures, as well as promoting alternatives such as implants, a costly option that is gaining popularity. Moreover, some insurance companies are attempting to lengthen the number of years people must wait between denture replacements in order to have the replacement covered, as the government has already done for eligible income security recipients. Denturists are having to share clients with dentists, who are also entitled to provide removable dental prostheses. These trends have naturally caused the demand for such devices, as well as denturists' services, to decline.
On the other hand, an aging population (babyboomers, more specifically) means that a growing number of people are using and replacing dentures and other such devices more often. Note that the market appears saturated in Montreal, although opportunities are better in the outlying regions.
Given all of these factors, the number of denturists is expected to remain fairly stable in the next few years.
Employment characteristics
According to census data, women held barely 22% of the jobs in this occupation in 2001, a percentage that has been rising slightly since 1991. The annual employment income ($56,588) shown in the "Characteristics" section of the "Statistics" applies only to the 54% of people in this occupation who worked full time and full-year in 2005. The average employment income for those who did not work full time and full-year was $39,776.
Requirements
Denturists must have an interest in and aptitude for establishing helping relationships, the ability to communicate, empathy and patience. They must also possess considerable dexterity, be thorough, and have a highly developed sense of esthetics. Management skills are important for self-employed individuals. Bilingualism can be an asset, depending on the target clientèle.
Education and Training
Denturists must have a college diploma in denturist technology. Generally, an apprenticeship period in a recognized denturist's clinic is also required. Membership in the Ordre des denturologistes du Québec is mandatory in order to use the title "Denturist", and only members of this body and the Ordre des dentistes du Québec are entitled to practise.
Édouard-Montpetit College is the only such establishment offering a program in denturist technology.
Continuing education is vital in order to keep abreast of related equipment, procedural and material developments.
Useful References
Ordre des denturologistes du Québec
Association des denturologistes du Québec
Important Considerations
The number of denturists should remain fairly stable over the next few years.
Even though the number of positions is limited, college graduates had a very good placement rate until 2007. Some recent graduates have left the field after a few years because of the lack of clients and the high costs involved in setting up an office. The situation could get worse over the next few years because of the marked increase in the number of enrolments in this training program.
3221 - Denturists
Statistics
| Main Labour Market Indicators | 3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Employment, average 2007- 2009 | 650 | 3,859,200 |
| EI Claimants in 2009 | 0 | 168,350 |
| Average Annual Growth Rate 2010- 2014 | 0.0% | 0.9% |
| Annual Employment Variation 2010- 2014 | 0 | 36,650 |
| Annual Attrition 2010- 2014 | 60 | 122,850 |
| Total Annual Needs 2010- 2014 | 60 | 159,500 |
| Employment Distribution by Gender | 3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Males | 71.6% | 52.7% |
| Females | 28.4% | 47.3% |
| Employment Distribution by Age | 3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| 15- 24 years | 1.3% | 14.1% |
| 25- 44 years | 36.6% | 45.1% |
| 45- 64 years | 59.5% | 38.8% |
| 65 years and over | 2.6% | 2.0% |
| Employment Distribution by Status | 3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 88.6% | 79.2% |
| Part-time | 11.4% | 20.8% |
| Average Annual Employment Income (Full-Time, Full-Year) |
3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time, full-year | 54.4% | 53.2% |
| Average income | 56,588 | 45,157 |
| 0- 19999$ | 12.8% | 16.5% |
| 20000- 49999$ | 37.2% | 52.4% |
| 50000$ and over | 50.0% | 31.1% |
| Employment Distribution by Highest Level of Schooling |
3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high-school | 0.0% | 14.1% |
| High-school | 1.3% | 21.9% |
| Post-secondary | 90.3% | 43.1% |
| Bachelors | 8.4% | 20.9% |
| Employment Distribution by Region | 3221 | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Gaspésie-îles-de-la-Madeleine | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| Bas-St-Laurent | 1.9% | 2.5% |
| Capitale-Nationale | 5.8% | 9.1% |
| Chaudière-Appalaches | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Estrie | 5.8% | 3.9% |
| Centre-du-Québec | 2.6% | 2.9% |
| Montérégie | 27.3% | 18.7% |
| Montréal | 14.3% | 24.1% |
| Laval | 5.8% | 5.0% |
| Lanaudière | 12.3% | 5.8% |
| Laurentides | 4.5% | 7.0% |
| Outaouais | 3.2% | 4.7% |
| Abitibi-Témiscamingue | 3.9% | 1.8% |
| Mauricie | 1.9% | 3.1% |
| Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean | 5.2% | 3.3% |
| Côte-Nord-Nord du Québec | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| 3221 | All occupations | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Distribution by Self-employment | 90.3% | 11.2% |
| 3221 | All occupations | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Distribution by Immigration | 11.0% | 12.2% |
| Main Areas of Employment | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social assistance | 73.3% |
| - Offices of Other Health Practitioners (Offices of Denturists included) | 53.8% |
| - Offices of Dentists | 20.5% |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 22.4% |