Working relationships and professional agreements between dental hygienists and dentists/dental specialists

The practice standard describes the working relationships between dental hygienists and dentists/dental specialists. The document supports the continuation of a team approach between dental hygienists and dentists/dental specialists in relation to the delivery of dental hygiene services within the overall provision of integrated care to patients.

Specifically, the document describes the general functions and levels of supervision required by dental hygienists and provides detail on their scope of practice.

Dental hygienists and the dentists/dental specialists who supervise them must jointly review and sign a Practice Standard Agreement, a template of which is attached to the practice standard.

The document also highlights the responsibilities of the dentist/dental specialist that sign the Practice Standard Agreement, from whom the dental hygienist should seek and record advice and clinical guidance.

Practitioners declare their compliance to the standard in their annual practising certificate application form.