This notice is issued by the Dental Council of New Zealand pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
The following scope of practice replaces the Scope for Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures in Dental Hygiene Practice in the previous gazette notice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 7 December 2006, No. 167, page 4856.
Scope for undertaking orthodontic procedures in dental hygiene practice
Dental hygienists with approved training, experience and competence in orthodontic procedures assist the dentist or orthodontist in implementing orthodontic treatment plans through performing such orthodontic procedures as taking impressions and making study models, inserting and removing some orthodontic appliances, preparing teeth
for bonding, removing bonding composite and banding cement, and providing oral health education and advice on the care and maintenance of orthodontic appliances.
Dental hygienists who undertake orthodontic procedures practise:
? under the clinical guidance of a dentist or orthodontist who is responsible for the patient’s clinical care outcomes.
? to a treatment plan prepared by a dentist or orthodontist for the patient concerned.
The procedures involve:
? oral hygiene instruction, care and maintenance of orthodontic appliances.
? taking clinical photographs for records.
? making study models including taking impressions and bite records.
? pre-banding polishing of teeth.
? removing and placing arch wires as formed by the orthodontist.
? removing composite/band cement following removal of fixed appliances.
? removing O rings.
? de-bonding and de-banding fixed appliances.
? replacing loose bands.
Prescribed Qualifications
? Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Hygiene), University of Otago, conferred from 2002 and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice; or
? Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago, conferred from 2002 and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice; or
? Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, Academy of Orthodontic Assisting and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice.
For applications received before 19 September 2004
? Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago, conferred before 2002; registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice and a minimum of 150 clinical hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the provision of oral health services within the Scope for undertaking orthodontic procedures in dental hygiene practice, under the direction and supervision of a dentist or dental specialist who can attest to competency; or
? Certificate in Dental Hygiene issued by Otago Polytechnic of New Zealand; registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice and a minimum of 150 clinical hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the provision of oral health services within the Scope for undertaking orthodontic procedures in dental hygiene practice, under the direction and supervision of a dentist or dental specialist who can attest to competency; or
? New Zealand Defence Force training programme in Dental Hygiene; registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice and a minimum of 150 clinical hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the provision of oral health services within the Scope for undertaking orthodontic procedures in dental hygiene practice, under the direction and supervision of a dentist or dental specialist who can attest to competency.