Outcome from consultation on updating professional competencies and changing related scopes of practice for oral health professions
The Council issued a consultation on proposed updates to the professional competencies and changes to related scopes of practice (excluding those for dental specialists) on 26 July 2021. The consultation closed on 17 September 2021.
Having considered the submissions received, the Council has approved, with effect from 8 December 2021, the proposed scope of practice changes and the following professional competencies:
- Dentists
Dentist competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Dentist competencies (pdf version)
- Oral health therapists
Oral health therapist competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Oral health therapist competencies (pdf version)
- Dental therapists
Dental therapist competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Dental therapist competencies (pdf version)
- Dental hygienists
Dental hygienist competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Dental hygienist competencies (pdf version)
- Orthodontic auxiliaries
Orthodontic auxiliary competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Orthodontic auxiliary competencies (pdf version)
- Dental technicians
Dental technician competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Dental technician competencies (pdf version)
- Clinical dental technicians
Clinical dental technician competencies (word version with English hover text for Kupu Māori)
Clinical dental technician competencies (pdf version)
The updated competencies and scopes of practice will be gazetted shortly.
The changes made to the consultation drafts are detailed in the cover letter.
Notes:
- The updated scopes and competencies will come into effect on 8 December 2021.
- The transition period of a year from Kaiakatanga ahurea - cultural competence to Haumarutanga ahurea - cultural safety was also approved. The Haumarutanga ahurea domain comes into effect on 1 January 2023. Practitioners are strongly encouraged to incorporate learning and experiences in this area into their professional development plans.
- The Microsoft Word competency documents available above include hover text with the English translation for the Te Reo Māori words. This feature is not available for the pdf versions, due to compatibility issues with different pdf readers.