The DClinDent (oral medicine) was granted accreditation in 2013 as the dental component of the oral medicine prescribed qualification.
Following accreditation, the Council consulted on the proposed gazetting of the DClinDent (oral medicine) plus a recognised medical degree as a prescribed qualification for the oral medicine scope of practice. In addition, an administrative amendment to the description of the recognised medical schools was proposed for the oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery prescribed qualifications to reflect the contemporary medical school directory.
In the consultation feedback the need, or otherwise, for a medical degree as part of the prescribed qualification for the oral medicine scope of practice was raised by several stakeholders. At the time the Council deferred its decision on the consultation to allow for investigation on the medical component of the oral medicine prescribed qualifications.
A number of investigations have been completed and considered by the Council since. It is evident that internationally, there is a clear divide in opinion on this issue. The Council agreed that in principle an undergraduate medicine degree is not required for registration in the oral medicine scope of practice—if the dental postgraduate qualification can demonstrate that the appropriate medicine-related knowledge, skills and exposure can be achieved in the programme to ensure competent and safe practise within the oral medicine scope of practice in New Zealand.
At its July 2017 meeting, the Council decided that the investigation on the need, or otherwise, of a medical degree for the oral medicine scope of practice would be managed through the next postgraduate accreditation review, scheduled for 2018, if the Faculty of Dentistry wishes to propose any major change to the current oral medicine programme.
To conclude the earlier consultation on the accredited DClinDent (oral medicine) programme, the Council will gazette the following on Thursday, 13 July:
- the University of Otago DClinDent (oral medicine) programme plus a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as a prescribed qualification for the oral medicine scope of practice
- for the oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery scopes of practice: replace all references to a medical degree from a medical school listed in the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools or ECFMG Faimer Directory with a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
