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Practitioner competence

The Dental Council is responsible for ensuring oral health practitioners remain competent throughout their careers and are able to practise safely.

When the Council receives information that raises concerns about a practitioner's competence, it will assess the information and determine whether further action is required under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act).

A competent practitioner applies their knowledge, clinical skills, communication, professional judgement and behaviour to provide safe and appropriate oral health care within their scope of practice.

When concerns are raised about a practitioner’s competence, the Dental Council is required under the HPCA Act to make inquiries and determine what action, if any, is required.

When may the Council consider competence concerns?

The Council may consider a practitioner's competence where information raises concerns about their ability to practise safely and meet the required standard of competence.

This may include:

  • a pattern of poor clinical performance or standards of care
  • repeated incidents or concerns over time
  • a serious departure from accepted standards of practice
  • practising in circumstances associated with increased professional risk, such as professional isolation or practising at the limits of a scope of practice.

Initial inquiries

When the Council receives information raising concerns about a practitioner's competence, it undertakes initial inquiries to determine whether further action is required.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include: 

  • reviewing relevant records and documentation
  • seeking information from the practitioner
  • seeking information from other relevant parties
  • undertaking a practice visit.

A professional advisor may assist the Council by conducting inquiries and providing a report. 

Council consideration

After considering the information available, the Council may decide to:

  • take no further action
  • implement educational or other supportive measures
  • order a formal competence review to be conducted by a competence review committee (CRC).

Where a competence review is required, the practitioner will be advised of:

  • the concerns prompting the review
  • the reasons for the Council's decision
  • the review terms of reference
  • the proposed membership of the CRC.

Practitioners will have an opportunity to raise any concerns about the proposed membership of the CRC before the review proceeds.

The Council's primary responsibility is to protect public safety. Where there are concerns that a practitioner's practice may pose a risk to patients, the Council may consider interim measures while inquiries or a competence review are underway.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

  • placing conditions on a practitioner's practice
  • restricting a practitioner's scope of practice
  • suspending a practising certificate, where authorised under the HPCA Act.

Before making such decisions, the Council will provide the practitioner with an opportunity to make submissions and be heard.

A competence review is an assessment of a practitioner’s professional practice. The purpose of the review is to assess the practitioner’s competence and determine whether any support or further action is required. It considers whether the practitioner is meeting the required standard of competence and identifies any support that may be required to assist safe and effective practice.

Competence reviews are:

  • focused on professional performance and practice
  • supportive and educational rather than disciplinary
  • designed to identify areas for improvement where required
  • intended to protect public safety while supporting practitioners to practise safely.

What happens during a competence review?

Practitioners are advised of a competence review in advance, and these are usually conducted at the practitioner's workplace.

Depending on the concerns being reviewed, the assessment may consider:

  • clinical practice
  • patient management
  • communication skills
  • record keeping
  • prescribing practices
  • practice systems and processes.

The review will generally focus on the areas of concerns identified by the Council that fall under the standards framework and competencies for the practitioner's scope of practice. Practitioners may have a support person present during the review process.

The review report

Following the review, the CRC prepares a report for the Council outlining its findings.

The practitioner will receive a copy of the draft report and have an opportunity to comment on any factual inaccuracies before the report is finalised.

Council consideration

The Council considers:

  • the CRC report
  • the original notification or concern
  • any professional advisor reports
  • any submissions from the practitioner
  • any other relevant information.

The Council then determines:

  • whether the practitioner meets the required standard of competence; and
  • if further action is required to address identified competence concerns.

Possible outcomes

Where competence concerns are identified, the Council may take one or more of the following actions, including: 

  • require the practitioner to complete a competence programme
  • imposing conditions on a practitioner's scope of practice
  • require an examination or assessment
  • require counselling or assistance from one or more nominated persons to support safe practice.

The action or combination of actions taken will depend on the nature of the concerns, and the level of support or oversight required to manage any risks that could impact public safety.  

Competence programmes

A competence programme is tailored to the practitioner's individual circumstances and may include:

  • examinations or assessments
  • supervised practice
  • practical training or experience
  • professional development or education courses
  • mentoring or clinical supervision
  • review of clinical records.

The purpose of a competence programme is to support practitioners to achieve and maintain the required standard of competence while protecting public safety.

There is no direct cost to you for the competence review itself. The cost of the review is borne by the profession in which you are registered and is funded through the APC fee.  

If your competence is found to be below the required standards, you are responsible for any costs that arise for any competence programmes, supervision, training, further assessments, or any other conditions placed on your practice. You are also responsible for any personal costs associated with participating in the review process. 

We will explain any costs and requirements that apply to your individual circumstances. 

Information you provide during a competence review can only be used in relation to that review, or any resulting programme, and cannot be used as evidence against you in court or other judicial proceedings.

Information obtained during a review is treated as confidential and is only used or disclosed as permitted or required by law (including the HPCA Act).

Practitioners are given an opportunity to respond to relevant information, make submissions, and participate in the process before decisions affecting their practice are made.

Where applicable, practitioners are advised of any rights of review or appeal in relation to Council decisions. 

If the Council imposes conditions on a practitioner’s scope of practice, information about those conditions may be published on the public register as required by law.