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

• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago before 1 November 2017
• Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology before 1 November 2017
• 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 2004
• 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)
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Therapy), University of Otago.

Australia

• an Australian Dental Council accredited programme that included education in Pulpotomies, Stainless Steel Crowns, Radiography and Diagnostic Radiography and registration in Australia1
• a Dental Board of Australia approved programme of study providing a qualification for the purposes of registration in dental therapy in Australia that included education in Pulpotomies, Stainless Steel Crowns, Radiography and Diagnostic Radiography and registration in Australia2.

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

Other

• Undergraduate dental therapy degree or diploma, or an undergraduate dental degree, and a pass in the Dental Council 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 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 qualification in adult dental therapy practice
  
• 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 qualification in adult dental therapy practice
  
• 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 qualification in adult dental therapy practice
  
• 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 qualification in adult dental therapy practice
  
• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited qualification in adult dental therapy practice
  

Dental Council accredited qualification in adult dental therapy practice practising 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.

For applications received before 19 September 2004

• Certificate in Dental Therapy (issued by the Department of Health or a New Zealand educational institution); registration in the Scope of General Dental Therapy Practice and approved experience in the provision of oral healthcare to adults under the direction and supervision of a dentist, who can attest to competency
• Diploma in Dental Therapy (issued by a New Zealand educational institution); registration in the Scope of General Dental Therapy Practice and approved experience in the provision of oral healthcare to adults under the direction and supervision of a dentist, who can attest to competency
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Therapy), University of Otago; registration in the Scope of General Dental Therapy practice and approved experience in the provision of oral healthcare to adults under direction and supervision of a dentist, who can attest to competency.