Prescribed Qualifications
Issued by the Dental Council, pursuant to sections 11 and
12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the following scope replaces the Scope for Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice published in the Supplement to the
New Zealand Gazette, 20 May 2005, No. 81, page 1927.
“Scope for Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice
The scope of practice for orthodontic auxiliaries is set out in the documented ‘Detailed Scope of Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice’ produced and published from time to time by the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Orthodontic auxiliary practice is a subset of the practice of dentistry, and is commensurate with an orthodontic auxiliary’s approved training, experience and competence.
Orthodontic Auxiliaries practise under the direct clinical supervision of a dentist or orthodontist who is present on the premises at which the work is carried out, who has prepared a treatment plan for the patient concerned and who is responsible for patient’s clinical care outcomes.
Orthodontic auxiliaries assist the dentist or orthodontist in implementing orthodontic treatment 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.
Prescribed Qualifications
? A DCNZ accredited qualification in orthodontic auxiliary practice.1
? A minimum of 600 clinical hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 and prior to 31 July 2005 in the provision of oral health services within the scope of orthodontic auxiliary practice, under the direction and supervision
of a dentist or dental specialist who can attest to competency.2
1Currently no training programmes have been accredited.
2Given that it was not illegal for unregistered persons to undertake orthodontic auxiliary duties prior to the establishment of the Restricted Activities List on 1 August 2005, any orthodontic assistants who did not apply for registration prior to 18 September 2004 but had (or now have) the requisite clinical experience may still apply for registration under amnesty provisions. This will be a one-off opportunity to apply for registration under the previous ‘experience’ criteria provisions. The amnesty will cease on 31 March 2006.”