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.

Scopes of practice for orthodontic auxiliary practice

Orthodontic auxiliary practice is a subset of dental hygiene practice that involves implementing orthodontic treatment plans prepared by a dentist or orthodontist, by performing orthodontic procedures and providing oral health education and advice on the care and maintenance of orthodontic appliances in accordance with an orthodontic auxiliary’s approved education, training, experience and competence. 

Orthodontic auxiliaries practise under the direction of the dentist or orthodontist who is responsible for the patient’s clinical care outcomes and who is on-site at the time care is provided.  

The scope of practice encompasses the orthodontic auxiliary competencies.

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

Prescribed qualifications for the orthodontic auxiliary scope of practice.