Dentist
OFO Code: 226102
Last checked 3 October 2026
1. Occupation identity
- OFO code
- 226102
- Occupation
- Dentist
- Classification
- OFO 2021
- Major group
- PROFESSIONALS
- Unit group
- 2261 · Dentists
Official description
Dentists diagnose, treat and prevent diseases, injuries and abnormalities of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues by applying the principles and procedures of modern dentistry. They use a broad range of specialised diagnostic, surgical and other techniques to promote and restore oral health.
More official OFO detail
Specialisations: Community Dentistry Specialist, Dental Practitioner, Restorative Dentist, Oral and Maxiloficial Surgeon Periodontist, Oral Medicine Specialist
- Supervising dental hygienists, dental assistants and other staff
- Designing , making, and fitting prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, bridges, and dentures, or writing fabrication instructions or prescriptions for dental prosthetic technicians
- Prescribing medication for relief of ongoing pain after procedures
- Diagnosing diseases, injuries, irregularities and malformations of teeth and associated structures in the mouth and jaw using a range of methods such as radiographs, salivary tests and medical histories
- Providing preventative oral health care such as periodontal treatments, fluoride applications and oral health promotion
- Providing restorative oral care such as implants, complex crown and bridge restorations, and orthodontics, and repairing damaged and decayed teeth
- Assisting in diagnosing general diseases having oral manifestations such as diabetes
- Restoring oral function with removable and fixed oral prostheses
- Measuring and taking impressions of patients' jaws and teeth in order to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses
- Educating patients and families on dental hygiene, nutrition and other measures to take care of oral health
- Providing surgical treatments such as extraction of teeth, biopsy of tissue, and performing orthodontic treatment
- Administering anaesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures
2. Demand status
Demand evidence not yet linked
This is an official OFO 2021 occupation. Demand status is separate evidence and is not inferred from inclusion in the OFO.
A national demand signal is not a promise of a vacancy in your town.
3. Salary evidence
No sourced salary record has been ingested for this OFO code yet.
Open remuneration history & calculator →4. Quick EE check
How much might Employment Equity matter in this job context?
Answer three quick questions for a rough read. This is workforce context, not a hiring decision.
Select the employer size and your profile to get a quick read.
5. Qualification
Qualification evidence pending.
Understand NQF levels, institutions & recognition → Build my qualification pathway →6. Study funding
Check all funding options, eligibility & obligations →A funding match will only be shown once a recognised qualification or study route has been identified.
7. Industry, sector and provincial context
National occupation classification. Industry and provincial context are shown only where a separate official source supports the link.
No source-backed modern OFO↔SIC 7 industry link has been ingested for this occupation yet. PathLens does not infer one from the job title.
Browse the official South African industry classification →8. Next steps — official links
9. Decision tools
10. Sources for this page
- DHET Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO 2021) · Planned
- DHET Occupations in High Demand · Planned
- Critical Skills List · Planned
- QCTO qualifications and occupational certificates · Planned
- Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey · Planned
- SETA Sector Skills Plans / hard-to-fill vacancy tables · Planned