Dental Therapist

Stable

Healthcare

Registered dental professional who examines and treats schoolchildren and preschoolers in MOH school and community dental clinics (fillings, extractions of baby teeth, fissure sealants and oral health education), trained after SPM through a 3-year MOH diploma at ILKKM Georgetown and appointed as Juruterapi Pergigian U5.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

DentistryAllied Health

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: SPM with credits in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and English plus a pass in one other subject → apply on SPA9 for Latihan Juruterapi Pergigian (April or October intake) → 3-year diploma at the Children's Dental Centre and ILKKM Georgetown (Pergigian) → register with the Malaysian Dental Therapists Board → appointed as Juruterapi Pergigian U5 in MOH dental clinics.
Registration required: Malaysian Dental Therapists Board (Lembaga Juruterapi Pergigian Malaysia) registration and annual practising certificate under the Dental Act 2018 [Act 804]

Sources:spa.gov.my docs.jpa.gov.my hq.moh.gov.my ppkkklpm.moh.gov.my

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

BiologyAnatomy and how the body moves.

PhysicsMovement, force and rehab equipment.

ChemistryLab tests and body chemistry.

Skills to build

Patience and warmth with young childrenSteady hands and attention to detailExplaining oral health simply to pupils and parentsStrict infection-control discipline

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

Entry

Private

RM1,974

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Stable

Steady, reliable demand: a consistent number of openings.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.

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Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

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How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Source: SPA scheme: Juruterapi Pergigian U5 starting pay (SSPA, effective 1 Dec 2024) · as of Sept 2026

Check the salary figures yourself:JPA (SSPA schedule)SPA

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org