The written examination tests your knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of contemporary dental therapy practice and whether you can apply that knowledge to clinical situations.
You should be able to discuss a wide range of issues of relevance to oral health in the biological, physical, social and clinical sciences.
You must demonstrate that you can satisfy the dental therapy competencies which applicants for registration as a dental therapist must meet in order to be registered. These competencies can be found on the scope of practice competencies for dental therapists.
The examination will cover the following topics:
The written examination consists of two 3-hour papers.
Paper 1 includes questions requiring essay and short written answers. Some questions may ask you to apply your scientific knowledge to the delivery of dental therapy.
Paper 2 is made up of one hour of 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and two hours of Visual Interpretation, in the form of illustrations and clinical images and radiographs illustrating clinical conditions with questions requiring short written answers
You should note the meanings of the following three terms frequently used in the examination:
The last two terms are often used in questions that enable you to demonstrate your breadth of knowledge.
The publications we list do not form the basis of the examination; however, they may be used as a general resource.
To feel prepared for the examination, it is recommended that you:
If you are uncertain about any instruction or question from the examiners, ask for clarification.
Clear, detailed instructions about seating, timing, labelling of papers will be given at the time of the examination which you must follow accurately.
The written examination is held once per year. Please refer to the examinations timetable for the date.
Your assessment of eligibility application form must reach us by the closing date listed on the examinations timetable.
The specific venue will be confirmed to you for each individual examination.
You will need to make all your own visa and travel arrangements. If you can’t sit the examination because you can’t arrange things like visas or travel, we’ll treat you as having withdrawn, and you will have to pay withdrawal fees.
You need to provide proof of identity, usually a passport.
You will receive your results by email, usually between 10 to 12 weeks after the examination.
No results will be given by phone or fax.
To pass the written examination you must achieve passes (C-) in each of the two papers.
To appeal a written examination result, you must write to us within four weeks from the date of the results.
You have three years from the date of first sitting the written examination and a maximum of three attempts to pass both the written and clinical parts of the NZDTREX.
If you fail the written examination, you must make another application, and pay a new examination fee.
If you have failed two attempts at the written part of the NZDTREX, we strongly recommend you complete a period of re-training before you sit it for the third and final time.