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 orthodontic auxiliary practice as published in the New Zealand Gazette, 12 November 2021, Notice No. 2021-sl4809. The scope of practice and competencies for orthodontic auxiliary practice as published in the New Zealand Gazette, 12 November 2021, Notice No. 2021-sl4809 remain unchanged.

Prescribed Qualifications for the Scope of Practice for Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice

New Zealand Accredited Programmes

• Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, New Zealand Association of Orthodontists: Orthodontic Auxiliary Training Programme¹.
• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice before 1 November 2017.
• Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology conferred from 2011, and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice before 1 November 2017.
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Hygiene), University of Otago conferred from 2002, and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice².
• Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago conferred from 2002, and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice, and a Dental Council approved course for extra-oral radiography².
• Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, Academy of Orthodontic Assisting, and possession of a dental therapy, dental hygiene or dental qualification 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 competency³.

Competent Authority – Registration⁴ (from 1 November 2026)

• Current full/unrestricted/unconditional orthodontic auxiliary or equivalent registration with a competent authority(s) recognised by the Dental Council⁵; and
• Clinical practice⁶ in orthodontic auxiliary practice in the recognised competent authority(s) for at least 33 months (working 20 hours or more per week) during the 48 months immediately prior to application.

Dated at Wellington this 31st day of March 2026.

MARIE MACKAY, Chief Executive, Dental Council.

Endnotes

1. The Dental Council approved this prescribed qualification on 15 February 2010.

2. Accreditation expired.

3. The Dental Council approved this prescribed qualification on 10 July 2006.

4. 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

5. Republic of Ireland (Dental Council of Ireland), United Kingdom (General Dental Council) for the purposes of orthodontic auxiliary practice.

6. 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 under prescription of a dentist or orthodontist.