Prescribed qualifications for registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy practice

The Dental Council has prescribed the following qualifications for the scope of practice for dental therapy.

New Zealand Accredited Programmes 

• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago¹.
• Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology¹.
• Certificate in Dental Therapy or Certificate in Dental Nursing (issued by the Department of Health or a New Zealand educational institution), and approved experience in the provision of dental therapy services within the scope of dental therapy practice (including interpreting periapical and bitewing radiographs under the direction and supervision of a dentist who can attest to competency), and evidence of successful completion of Dental Council approved courses for pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns and radiography and diagnostic radiography, or an exemption certificate for radiography issued by the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board current as at 18 September 2004².
• Diploma in Dental Therapy (issued by a New Zealand educational institution), and approved experience in the provision of dental therapy services within the scope of dental therapy practice (including interpreting periapical and bitewing radiographs under the direction and supervision of a dentist who can attest to competency), and evidence of successful completion of Dental Council approved courses for pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns and radiography and diagnostic radiography (excluding a Diploma in Dental Therapy issued by University of Otago or an exemption certificate for radiography issued by the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board current as at 18 September 2004)².
•  Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Therapy), University of Otago².

1 Before 1 November 2017.

2 Accreditation expired.

Competent Authority - Qualification

Australia

• An Australian Dental Council accredited programme that included education in pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns, radiography and diagnostic radiography³.
• An Australian educational institution dental degree approved by the Dental Board of Australia for the purposes of registration in dental therapy in Australia that included education in pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns, radiography and diagnostic radiography⁴.

3 Before 30 June 2010, and before 17 October 2010 for Western Australia.
4 From 1 July 2010 onwards, and 18 October 2010 onwards for Western Australia.

Other

• A dental therapy or dentist qualification and a pass in the New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination.  

Prescribed qualifications for registration in the scope of practice for adult care in dental therapy practice

The Dental Council has defined the following list of prescribed qualifications for 

The Dental Council has defined the following list of prescribed qualifications for additional scope of adult care in dental therapy practice, which would allow registration in the additional scope of adult care in New Zealand. 

Prescribed qualifications for practising under clinical guidance:

• Certificate in Dental Therapy (issued by the Department of Health or a New Zealand educational institution) and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Diploma in Dental Therapy (issued by a New Zealand educational institution) and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Therapy), University of Otago and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.

Dental Council accredited qualification in adult dental therapy practice under clinical guidance:

• Graduate Certificate in Dental Therapy (Advanced Clinical Practice), University of Melbourne³
• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (endorsed in Adult Restorative Dental Care), University of Otago⁴
• Graduate Certificate of Health Sciences (Oral Health), Auckland University of Technology⁵

3 Accredited 5 December 2022
4 Accredited 7 August 2023
5 Accredited 9 July 2024

Prescribed qualifications for practising under direct clinical supervision:

Currently no training programmes have been accredited.