Prescribed Qualifications
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 replaces the Scope for Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice published in the
New Zealand Gazette, 13 October 2005, No. 175, page 4416.
“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
? Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, Academy of Orthodontic Assisting; possession of a dental therapy, dental hygiene or dentistry qualification or registration as a dental auxiliary and approved experience in
the provision of orthodontic auxiliary services under the direction and supervision of a dentist or dental specialist who can attest to competency.1
For Applications Received Before 31 March 20062
? A minimum of 600 clinical hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 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.
1The Dental Council approved this prescribed qualification on 10 July 2006.
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 the requisite clinical experience could apply for registration under amnesty provisions until 31 March 2006.”