Consultation on proposed changes to the Accreditation Standards for dental practitioner programmes

The current Dental Council (New Zealand) and Australian Dental Council (ADC) Accreditation Standards for dental practitioner programmes became effective on 1 January 2021. The Standards are scheduled to be periodically reviewed every 5 years, and a project has been established to identify and consider changes to the Standards for subsequent approval by the Dental Council New Zealand (the Council) the Dental Board of Australia (DBA).

You can view the New Zealand Standards here and the Australian Standards here.

Public consultation documents:

Objective of the review

The objective is to identify and consider changes to the Standards to ensure they remain contemporary and fit for purpose. The Council, the ADC and DBA have affirmed that the Standards must remain applicable in both Australia and New Zealand to facilitate the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997, which recognises New Zealand and Australia registration standards as equal and allows registered oral health practitioners to work in either country.

Have your say

You can now submit your feedback on the draft revised Standards.

We invite oral health practitioners, health professionals, lay members, education providers, professional associations and interested parties to provide feedback on the draft revised Standards.

The consultation period is open from 17 December 2025 to Friday 27 February 2026.

Submissions can be made via our online survey.

Or you can send your submission to consultations@dcnz.org.nz. 

Responses will be carefully considered and any necessary amendments made to the draft Standards. 

Submissions received will be published on our website and will record the submitter’s name and profession (for registered health practitioners). All other contact details will be removed. We will not publish any submissions containing derogatory or inflammatory content.