Under the Legislation Act 2019, notice is given of the making of the following secondary legislation:

This secondary legislation can be accessed at: https://dcnz.org.nz/resources-and-publications/resources/gazette-notices/.

The following replaces the prescribed qualifications for the scope of practice for dental therapy as published in the New Zealand Gazette, 12 November 2021, Notice No. 2021-sl4807. The scope of practice and competencies for dental therapy as published in the New Zealand Gazette, 12 November 2021, Notice No. 2021-sl4807 remain unchanged.

Prescribed Qualifications for the Scope of Practice for Dental Therapy

New Zealand Accredited Programmes

• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago¹.
• Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology¹.
• Certificate in Dental Therapy or Certificate in Dental Nursing (issued by the Department of Health or a New Zealand educational institution), and approved experience in the provision of dental therapy services within the scope of dental therapy practice (including interpreting periapical and bitewing radiographs under the direction and supervision of a dentist who can attest to competency), and evidence of successful completion of Dental Council approved courses for pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns and radiography and diagnostic radiography, or an exemption certificate for radiography issued by the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board current as at 18 September 2004².
• Diploma in Dental Therapy (issued by a New Zealand educational institution), and approved experience in the provision of dental therapy services within the scope of dental therapy practice (including interpreting periapical and bitewing radiographs under the direction and supervision of a dentist who can attest to competency), and evidence of successful completion of Dental Council approved courses for pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns and radiography and diagnostic radiography (excluding a Diploma in Dental Therapy issued by University of Otago or an exemption certificate for radiography issued by the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board current as at 18 September 2004)².
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Therapy), University of Otago².

Competent Authority – Qualification

Australia

• An Australian Dental Council accredited programme that included education in pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns, radiography and diagnostic radiography³.
• An Australian educational institution dental degree approved by the Dental Board of Australia for the purposes of registration in dental therapy in Australia that included education in pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns, radiography and diagnostic radiography⁴.

Examination

• A dental therapy or dentist qualification and a pass in the New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination.

Competent Authority – Registration⁵ (from 1 November 2026)

• Current full/unrestricted/unconditional dental therapy registration with a competent authority(s) recognised by the Dental Council⁶; and
• Clinical practice⁷ in dental therapy in the recognised competent authority(s) for at least 33 months (working 20 hours or more per week) during the 48 months prior to application.

Prescribed Qualifications for the Scope of Practice for Adult Care in Dental Therapy

Prescribed Qualifications for Practising Under Clinical Guidance

• Certificate in Dental Therapy (issued by the Department of Health or a New Zealand educational institution) and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Diploma in Dental Therapy (issued by a New Zealand educational institution) and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Therapy), University of Otago and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.
• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago and registration in the scope of practice for dental therapy and a Dental Council accredited adult restorative programme.

Prescribed Qualifications for Practising Under Direct Clinical Supervision

• Currently no training programmes have been accredited.

Dated at Wellington this 31st day of March 2026.

MARIE MACKAY, Chief Executive, Dental Council.

Endnotes

1. Before 1 November 2017.

2. Accreditation expired.

3. Before 30 June 2010, and before 17 October 2010 for Western Australia.

4. From 1 July 2010 onwards, and 18 October 2010 onwards for Western Australia.

5. Upon commencement of practice in New Zealand, practitioners registered under the competent authority registration pathway will practise under the oversight of a Dental Council approved practitioner for a period of at least six months under the terms of the oversight protocol.

6. United Kingdom (General Dental Council), United States of America (state dental boards), Australia (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) for the purposes of dental therapy.

7. Clinical practice means the maintenance of health through the assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment, and prevention of any disease, disorder or condition of the orofacial complex and associated structures.