The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act) describes a scope of practice as the health service that a practitioner registered in that scope of practice is permitted to perform, subject to any conditions for the time being imposed by the responsible authority.

The Council publishes a scope of practice as a Notice in the New Zealand Gazette under section 11 of the Act.

Scope of practice for dental technology

The practice of dental technology involves the processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of fixed and removable oral and extra-oral appliances and prostheses prescribed by a practising dentist, dental specialist, clinical dental technician or other health practitioner when allowed within their scope of practice, and carried out in accordance with a dental technician’s approved education, training, experience and competence. 

The scope of practice encompasses the dental technology competencies.

Practice in this context goes wider than dental technology practice to include teaching, research, and management, given that such roles influence clinical and technical practice and public safety. Areas of dental technology practice that were not included in a practitioner’s training should not be undertaken unless the practitioner has completed appropriate training and practices to the standard required by the Standards Framework for Oral Health Practitioners.

Prescribed qualifications for the dental technology scope of practice