Wakaminenga Kaunihera Hauora Health Council

The Dental Council is aware of a body describing itself as Wakaminenga Kaunihera Hauora Health Council, which purports to offer registration to certain “qualified health professionals” and issue “legal” annual practising certificates. 

We remind practitioners that they must be registered and hold a current annual practising certificate (APC) issued by the Dental Council to practice lawfully in New Zealand. 

These requirements are set out clearly in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Oral health practitioners who do not comply with the requirements of the Act are liable to prosecution by the Ministry of Health and fines of up to $30,000.

For the avoidance of any doubt or misinformation, practitioners should be clear that the Dental Council is the only regulatory body that can legitimately authorise oral health practitioners to lawfully undertake any of the six oral health professions in New Zealand.