Update on guidance on advanced and new areas of practice
In response to a request from Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa – New Zealand Oral Health Association, the Council has revisited its 2017 guidance on the administration of Botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers. In particular, whether oral health therapists and dental hygienists could undertake these activities.
While the Council acknowledges the growing demand for cosmetic treatments, it considers that ideally oral health practitioners should primarily focus on the provision of oral health care, to contribute towards improved health outcomes and equity for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Council considered the risks associated with the administration of Botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers, and the scopes of practice and underpinning competencies.
The Council concluded that on balance the risk, including permanent or irreversible damage, with the administration of botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers was considered low. Dentists, oral health therapists and dental hygienists were well equipped with the foundation knowledge of the orofacial complex and associated structures, and skills to enable them to perform these procedures following additional education and training – as advanced and new areas of practice.
Accordingly, the Council updated its guidance on advanced and new areas of practice to enable oral health therapists and dental hygienists to administer botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers as advanced and new areas of practice, following additional education and training.
Oral health practitioners are reminded that they must confine the use of botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers to the orofacial complex and associated structures.
The education and training guidance for the administration of botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers was updated. The key changes to the guidance are:
- Expanded information on education and training requirements for oral health practitioners administering botulinum toxin type A and dermal fillers (p3). This includes:
- Specifying that education and training is expected to be a combination of theoretical and hands-on learning, and assessment.
- A recommendation for clinical supervision by another experienced practitioner in these procedures for the first few treatments performed immediately after completion of education and training.
- A reminder of the obligations related to informed consent. It is expected you would only provide these treatments for competent patients over the age of 16.
- A specific section for oral health therapists and dental hygienists undertaking these activities, including requirements related to standing orders (p4).
All practitioners are requested to familiarise themselves with the updated guidance on advanced areas of practice.