Denturism helps your career – and people’s smiles – shine brighter

Embarking on a successful career often requires a mix of education, dedication and practical experience.

For Brianne Chaloner, a graduate of the Office Administration – Medical diploma (now called Office Administration – Health Services) and Denturism advanced diploma, it started with building a foundation in the health, wellness and sciences industry.

“I chose to study at Georgian because I was interested in the medical aspects of the Office Administration – Medical diploma and it was a good foundational program to start my postsecondary education while I figured out what I wanted to do next,” she said.

Brianne’s journey continued when she enrolled in the Denturism program, which she says helped equip her with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the field.

Denturism is a specialist field dedicated to designing, fabricating and fitting dentures. It requires a blend of technical skills, artistic finesse and an understanding of dental anatomy.

Brianne is a registered denturist who also works full-time in Georgian’s Oral Health Clinic as a clinical denturist. She assists in the Denturism program where she oversees the state-of-the-art lab and provides expertise and guidance to students, the program co-ordinator and faculty.

We spoke with Brianne about how the Denturism program helped her develop the artistic expression, skillset and patient-centred approach she needed to excel in her dream career.

Brianne Chaloner, a Denturism graduate and current Georgian employee, sits at a desk in the Oral Health Care Clinic working on a denture. She's wearing a white lab coat and her brown curly hair is up in a top knot bun. She is smiling widely.

Brianne Chaloner completed the Office Administration – Medical diploma (now called Office Administration – Health Services) at Georgian before enrolling in the Denturism advanced diploma.

Why did you decide to pursue denturism as a career?

Overall, Denturism offers a fulfilling career path for individuals who are interested in dental care, enjoy working with patients, and have a talent for manual dexterity and attention to detail.

Building relationships with patients and seeing the positive impact of their work can be rewarding for individuals who enjoy patient care. Plus, the curriculum covers a wide range of topics – from dental materials and anatomy to denture design and clinical practice.

What did you get out of your experience in the Denturism program?

One of the things that helped me get the most out of my experience in the Denturism program was the experienced faculty. Not only are they experts in their field, but they’re also passionate about helping nurture future generations of denturists.

I had mentorship from one of my instructors who had knowledge in both clinical and lab settings. He openly shared that knowledge with me and was always so supportive and had a great outlook on the denturism field, so it inspired me to perform my work with the same passion he does.

Perfecting my skills in the Oral Health Clinic helped me see how important it is to work from a patient-centred approach. I learned how to effectively communicate with patients, understand their needs, and create dentures that not only restored their smiles but also their confidence.

Do you recommend the Denturism program to students who haven’t decided which area of health, wellness and sciences they want to work in?

I recommend the Denturism program at Georgian to students who aren’t sure what they want to do in their careers, but are interested in working in the health, wellness and sciences field. It’s a great opportunity for them, particularly if they have an artistic and creative approach to dental work, work well as team members but also individually, and have good communication and social skills.

It’s such a great learning experience! Denturism offers practical, hands-on learning and great outcomes for those willing to put in the work in this rewarding field; for me, it also offered a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

Learn about the Denturism advanced diploma

Benefits of pursuing a career in Denturism

Four students, three female and one male, work on dentures in the Oral Health Clinic lab.

Denturism is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on the design, construction and fitting of dentures for patients with missing teeth or who require dental prosthetics. Why it may be the right program for you:

1. Lots of job opportunities: There are good job prospects in the dental industry for denturists. Denturists can work independently in their own denture clinics or collaborate with dentists and dental professionals in larger practices.

2. Focus on hands-on skills: Hands-on learning allows students to develop practical skills in denture construction and fitting. This practical experience is invaluable in preparing them for real-world challenges they may encounter in their careers.

3. Direct patient interaction: Denturism students work closely with patients in the Oral Health Clinic, building their communication skills and getting experience in patient-centred care.

5. Chance to specialize: Within Denturism, there may be opportunities for specialization, such as focusing on specific patient groups like geriatric care or those with special dental needs. This allows denturists to tailor their practice to what they’re most passionate about.

There’s still time to apply for Denturism for September

Interested in starting a new career? There’s still space in the Denturism program for fall 2024!

Learn how to apply

Apply for the program on ontariocolleges.ca

Published Friday, Aug. 30, 2024

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