Preparing for the clinical examination of the New Zealand Dental Hygiene Registration Examination (NZDHREX)

Tips for preparing for the examination

To feel prepared for the examination, it is recommended that you:

• try to rest before the examination
• dress comfortably
• allow time for travel
• locate the venue for each component of the examination the day before the examination
• bring a watch
• practise your English.

If you are uncertain about any instruction or question from the examiners, ask for clarification.

Reference material

The publications we list do not form the basis of the examination. However, they may be used as a general resource.

Resources for the examination

Information about dates and place

When the examination is held

The clinical examination is held once per year. Please refer to the examinations timetable for the date.

Closing dates

You must ensure your completed application reaches us by no later than the closing date listed on the examinations timetable.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Where you can take the examination

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 If you can’t sit the examination because you can’t arrange things like visas or travel, we’ll treat you as having withdrawn, and you will have to pay withdrawal fees.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. 

Results

Receiving examination results

Final results are awarded at an examiners' meeting at the completion of the examination. Your results will be posted to you after at least one week following the completion of the examination.

No results will be given by phone or fax.

Appealing your examination results

If you feel that you have performed poorly in the clinical examination because of illness or personal circumstances, you must advise us immediately and submit written evidence to support your claim, including a recent medical certificate. You must send these documents within seven days after the examination. Medical certificates will not be accepted after the examination results are posted.

No examination result can be overturned in this process, but the Council has the discretion to waive or reduce the fee for the next set of examinations.

You must not communicate directly with the examiners. Send all correspondence to us.

If you fail the examination

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 NZDHREX.

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 NZDHREX, we strongly recommend you undertake a course of re-training before you sit it for the third and final time.