In terms of section 7 of the Dental Act 1988, I hereby advise of the following revised conditions for the carrying-on of
the practice of dentistry commencing from the date of this notification:
1. Persons employed as dental therapists:
(a) will be holders of a New Zealand Dental Therapy qualification issued by the Department of Health1 or a New Zealand University or Polytechnic; or
(b) will produce evidence of having successfully completed a course of training that is accepted
by the Director-General of Health as being equivalent to the course of training required
for qualification under (a) above.
2. The functions undertaken by persons employed in terms of section 7 of the Dental Act 1988 will be commensurate with their formal training. Such training will imply successful completion of a course or courses recognised for the purpose by the Director-General of Health.
3. Persons engaged in the practice of dentistry in terms of 1. and 2. above, under section 7 of the Dental Act 1988, will operate under the direction and supervision of a principal dental officer or other registered dentist acting on the authority of a principal dental officer.
Dated at Wellington this 14th day of November 2002.
ANNETTE KING, Minister of Health.
Notes: Without limiting the terms of description:
"Principal Dental Officer" means a registered dentist appointed by a District Health Board to fulfil the requirements of section 7 of the Dental Act 1988.
"Direction and Supervision" includes the promulgation of clinical guidelines, ensuring ready access to clinical guidance, ensuring the safe management of medically compromised children and ensuring clinical audit.
1 The Ministry of Health succeeded the Department of Health on 1 July 1993. Persons issued a New Zealand Dental Therapy qualification prior to
1 July 1993 may be employed as dental therapists. The Ministry of Health does not issue New Zealand Dental Therapy qualifications. All New Zealand Dental Therapy qualifications are now issued by a New Zealand university or polytechnic.