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Frequently asked questions
Topics
Questions from Oral Health Practitioners
Questions from the public
Registration
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I am currently working as an oral health practitioner in an overseas country. I want to work in New Zealand as an oral
health practitioner. How do I register with the Dental Council?
In order to work in New Zealand as an oral health practitioner your qualifications and experience must be assessed by the
Dental Council.
Click on the relevant practitioner group below to find out more about the registration process.
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What international oral health qualifications does the Dental Council of New Zealand recognise?
The Dental Council recognises a number of qualifications. These are available on the prescribed qualifications lists for each
branch of oral health. Click on the relevant link below to view details of prescribed qualifications:
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I have an oral health qualification but it isn't on the Dental Council's prescribed list. What do I do to
register?
In order to work in New Zealand as an oral health practitioner your qualifications and experience must be assessed by the
Dental Council.
Click on the relevant practitioner group below to find out more about the registration process.
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How long will my application for registration take to process?
The length of the process will depend on your training, qualifications and experience and the scope of practice you are
applying for.
If you have an approved qualification for registration, provided all the documentation and correct fee, and you meet the
fitness and competence to practise requirements, you should be advised of the outcome of your application within two weeks.
If you do not have a prescribed qualification and are applying for an individual assessment of your qualifications and
experience, you should allow at least four months from receipt of your completed application to a decision being made.
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I am currently registered as an oral health practitioner in Australia and wish to work in New Zealand. How do I
register in New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (TTMR) scheme?
Please refer to Registration under Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (TTMR)
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Do I need a Certificate of Good Standing (COGS)?
Certificates of Good Standing (COGS) are provided for practitioners who are seeking registration or planning to study in
another country. The COGS is evidence of your registration and good standing status in your country of registration. A COGS
should be sent to the Dental Council direct from the authority under which you are currently registered to support your
application for registration in New Zealand.
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How much does it cost to register?
Registration costs are provided on the schedule of fees.
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What oral health scopes of practice can I register in?
The Dental Council scopes of practice are listed below. Please refer to the page Detailed Scopes of Practice for details.
- General dental practice
- Specialist dental practice (10 specialist scopes)
- General dental hygiene practice
- Orthodontic auxiliary practice
- Additional scopes for dental hygiene
- General dental therapy practice
- Additional scopes for dental therapy practice
- Dental technology practice
- Clinical dental technology practice
- Additional scopes for clinical dental technology practice
Examinations
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What examinations do I need to sit in order to register in New Zealand as an oral health professional?
Each practitioner group has its own written and clinical registration exams. Refer to the Examination section
for further information.
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How long does it take to complete the registration examinations in order to get registered?
It takes a candidate an average of 12-18 months to complete the examinations. This is dependent on whether candidates pass the
examinations outright. For example, if you enrol to sit the written examination in March and pass, you can then be enrolled to
sit the next available clinical examination within six months of sitting the written. This is however, dependent on places
available for the clinical examination.
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How often are the NZ dental registration examinations held?
The written dentist examination is held in March and September each year.
The clinical dentist examination is held in February, June and November each year.
The written and clinical exams for dental therapy, dental hygiene and dental technology are held annually. However, these
exams will not be staged if we do not have the minimum candidates required to run the examination.
Refer to the examinations timetable for the current programme.
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Can I sit the clinical examination overseas?
No. The clinical examination can only be sat in New Zealand. It is held at the School of Dentistry at the University of Otago
in Dunedin.
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Do I need to sit the English examination, even though my secondary and tertiary education was conducted in English and
I have worked in an English-speaking country for the last five years?
Yes. Unless you enter the New Zealand registration process through the provisions of TTMR, you will need to sit the English
examination.
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Can I sit the IELTS or OET test after I submit my application to enrol in the dental registration
examination?
No. You will need to have sat and passed the IELTS or OET test to the Council-approved level before submitting your enrolment
to sit the registration examinations.
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Are refresher courses available for the dental registration examinations?
Refresher courses are available in New Zealand. You will need to contact the School of Dentistry at the University of Otago to
find out how to enrol in these courses. The information is available on the Otago University website under continuing
education, short courses dentistry.otago.ac.nz/study/cesc.html.
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How much does it cost to sit the examinations?
Examination fees are included on the schedule of fees.
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Are there any dental observer posts for overseas-trained dentists, which will help me to understand the new procedures
and methods practiced in New Zealand and assist me with the registration exam?
The Dental Council is not involved with the organisation of observer posts. You would be best to contact the New Zealand
Dental Association about observer posts. The phone number is Auckland (09) 524 2778 or you can contact them via their website
www.nzda.org.nz.
New Zealand Conditions of Practice (NZCOP) Resource Book
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What is the New Zealand Conditions of Practice (NZCOP) Resource Book?
The NZCOP resource book provides an overview of the cultural, social and legislative framework for the delivery of oral
health care in New Zealand.
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Where can I find the NZCOP Resource Book?
The NZCOP Resource Book can be found here.
Annual recertification for practitioners
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What is recertification?
In order to be registered as an oral health practitioner in New Zealand, practitioners must meet the standards set by the
Dental Council. Post-registration, the Council needs to ensure that all the oral health practitioners under its jurisdiction
maintain their competence. A recertification process occurs on an annual basis to determine practitioner competence. If the
standards are met, the practitioner will be issued with an annual practising certificate (APC). The APC certifies to the
public that a registered oral health practitioner continues to be competent and fit to practise.
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Who needs an annual practising certificate (APC)?
All oral health practitioners who wish to practise in New Zealand must be registered and hold a valid annual practising
certificate.
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I understand that my annual practising certificate (APC) will expire on 31 March. What do I need to do to renew my
APC?
The Dental Council posts APC application packs to all registered oral health practitioners in February each year for renewal by
31 March. It is illegal to practise without a valid APC.
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How much does it cost to renew my APC?
The annual practising certificate fee is determined by the Dental Council each year. The fee is published in the
recertification book that is included with the application form and guide. APC fees are also provided on the schedule of fees.
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Can I make partial payments?
No, the Dental Council does not accept partial payments.
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I am currently registered in New Zealand as an oral health practitioner and intend to continue practising in New
Zealand.
However, I will be out of the country when my annual practising certificate will expire. What should I do?
It is your responsibility to keep the Dental Council informed of your contact mailing address. The APC application information
will be sent to this address. You may choose to have someone (a family member) complete your application on your behalf. They
will need to sign the application form as your proxy.
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I am currently registered in New Zealand as an oral health practitioner. I will be taking a break from practising (eg
parental leave, extended overseas trip, studying). I will want to practise in New Zealand again after my break. What should I
do?
You need to inform the Dental Council in writing of your plans so that appropriate steps can be taken to retain you on the
Dental Register (if you choose).
The Dental Council recommends that if you are not practising, but intend to in the future, that you continue to undertake CPD
to the required level. This is particularly important if you are not likely to practise for a period of three years or
more.
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As I have not been practising within the last twelve months (or more), I opted to be "retained" on the dental
register. I intend to practise again within the next few months. What do I need to do?
If you have not practised for a period of three years or more, the Council will consider your APC application with reference
to:
- the time away from practice
- the extent of your previous practice including experience in dental-related fields
- the extent of your CPD activities while not practising.
If the Council is not satisfied of your competence to practise, it may, before issuing an APC, require you to undertake update
courses, or to sit and pass all or parts of the relevant Dental Registration Examinations. The Council may also put a
condition on your APC requiring you to practise subject to supervision or mentoring.
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If I am not practising (e.g. while on parental leave) do I need to participate in recertification
activities?
Yes. If you intend to return to practice in New Zealand the Dental Council recommends that you continue to engage in the
recommended recertification requirements including CPD and peer contact activities.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
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What is CPD?
Continuing professional development (CPD) activity is continuing dental education and interactive peer contact activities aimed
at ensuring your continuing competence to practise. Examples of verifiable CPD activities include:
- conferences, courses and workshops
- postgraduate study (leading to a relevant qualification)
- web-based learning (with verifiable outcomes)
- presentation at an oral health seminar
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Where can I find a list of approved CPD activities?
The professional associations maintain a list of CPD activities that they have approved. The Dental Council also lists
activities that it has approved on the website - refer to Professional Standards -
Recertification for your branch of oral health practice.
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How much CPD am I expected to do each year?
|
Minimum number of
verifiable CPD hours |
Minimum number of
peer contact activities |
Recertification cycle
|
Dentists / Dental
Specialists |
80 |
12 |
1/1/2009 - 31/12/2012 |
| Dental Hygienists |
60 |
8 |
1/1/2010 - 31/12/2013 |
| Dental Therapists |
60 |
8 |
1/1/2010 - 31/12/2013 |
| Orthodontic Auxiliaries |
30 |
6 |
1/1/2010 - 31/12/2013 |
| Dental Technicians |
40 |
0 |
1/1/2010 - 31/12/2013 |
Clinical Dental
Technicians |
60 |
0 |
1/1/2010 - 31/12/2013 |
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I work part time. Are the CPD requirements the same for me, or are they pro-rated?
The CPD requirements are the same for full-time and part-time practitioners. This is because the Council must be satisfied
that all registered practitioners have maintained their competence and fitness to practice.
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What happens if I start practising after the CPD cycle has started?
If you start practising after the CPD cycle has started, your CPD requirements will be pro-rated by the proportion of time
lapsed since the recertification cycle commenced. For example, if you start six months after the two-year cycle starts, your
CPD will be adjusted to three-quarters of the full cycle requirements.
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Should my CPD activities reflect the full range of activities covered by my registered scope of practice or can they be
specific to my area of practice?
CPD activities should be directed to the competency standards related to your scope of practice. You do not have to maintain
clinical competence in the full range of procedures covered by your scope(s), but you must ensure your CPD covers the specific
tasks you undertake in your practice. It should also keep you up-to-date with developments in all areas of your scope(s) of
practice to ensure that a patient receives appropriate care and that appropriate referrals are made.
If you wish to resume practice of a clinical procedure after a break of three or more years, you must up-skill in the
area(s) concerned. This should involve formal hands-on training after a break of five or more years.
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If I am registered in more than one profession (e.g. as a dental therapist and a dental hygienist) do I have to
complete double the CPD requirements over the recertification cycle?
If you are registered in more than one profession, you only need to complete the CPD requirements of the profession with the
greater number of hours. For example, a dually registered therapist and hygienist will only need to complete 60 hours
verifiable CPD over the four-year cycle.
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If I accumulate more than the minimum number of CPD hours within the recertification cycle, can I roll these over into
the next cycle?
The requirements operate on a fixed recertification cycle and therefore cannot be transferred from one cycle to another. The
hours indicated are a minimum requirement. It is expected that most practitioners will participate in a far greater number of
hours of CPD than the minimum required.
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How often does the Dental Council check that I have completed my CPD requirements?
Practitioners are asked to declare whether or not they have met CPD requirements as part of the APC application. Practitioners
who indicate that they have not met the CPD requirements will be followed up.
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When do I need to submit my CPD records and certificates?
There are only two situations when CPD records and certificates need to be submitted to the Dental Council:
- if you are selected for a CPD compliance audit or
- if concerns about your competence or conduct have been raised.
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If I take a break from practising, with the intention of returning, do I need to keep up with my CPD
activities?
If you intend to return to practice in New Zealand the Dental Council recommends that while you are not practising in New
Zealand, for whatever reason, you should engage in the recommended minimum CPD requirements, including peer contact
activities.
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How do I meet the Council's CPD requirements if I am registered in New Zealand but practising overseas?
The Dental Council will give individual consideration to the amount and type of CPD undertaken while practising overseas and
apply some flexibility in terms of compliance with the CPD targets. However, you should note that if you have not engaged in a
satisfactory level of CPD while practising overseas, you may be required to undertake update courses or to sit and pass all or
parts of the relevant Dental Registration Examinations if you wish to resume practising in New Zealand. The Council may also
put a condition on your APC requiring you to practise subject to supervision or mentoring.
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What happens if I don't meet the Dental Council's CPD requirements?
If you do not comply with the Dental Council's CPD requirements, you will be notified in writing that you have twelve months to
make up the shortfall of hours. This will be over and above the requirements of the next cycle.
If after twelve months the number of outstanding CPD hours is not met, appropriate action will be taken, depending on the
individual circumstances. Action taken may include:
- placing restrictions or conditions on your APC
- suspension of your APC or registration
- referring you to the Council's competence screening programme with the possibility of a full competence review
- declining to issue an APC.
Compliance monitoring
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Where can I find the codes of practice that the Dental Council monitors?
All of the codes of practice and Dental Council statements are available on the Dental Council website on the Codes of Practice page. The following are included in compliance audits.
- infection control
- medical emergencies
- record keeping
- transmissible major viral infections
- informed consent
- sedation and working relationships (if relevant)
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What level of first aid/medical emergency training do I need?
The level of first aid/medical emergency training required for each practitioner group is included in the Dental Council's code
of practice on medical emergencies in dental practice (see Medical Emergencies in
Dental Practice for Dentists or Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice for
other Oral Health Practitioners). The level of training must be equivalent to the New Zealand Resuscitation Council
(NZRC) Certificate of Resuscitation and Emergency (CORE) levels indicated below.
- Dentists and dental specialists - CORE Level 4
- Dental therapists - CORE Level 3
- Dental Hygienists - CORE Level 3
- Clinical Dental Technicians - CORE Level 3
- Dental Technicians - CORE Level 1
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Who are Council-approved providers of first aid/medical emergency training?
The list of Council-approved providers of first aid/medical emergency training is available on the Recertification page for each group of practitioners.
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How many oral health practitioners are monitored and when?
Compliance monitoring of all practitioner groups is carried out on an annual basis. A compliance monitoring questionnaire is
sent to 10% of each practitioner group.
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If I.m selected for a compliance monitoring audit, what can I expect?
The Dental Council writes to practitioners who are selected for the compliance monitoring audit providing an outline
of the process. In the first instance practitioners will be asked to complete a questionnaire and return it to the Council.
Any matters identified through the questionnaire process will be followed up. A small number of practitioners will be
randomly selected for a practice visit. The purpose of the practice visit is to confirm compliance with the Council's
standards.
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If I have been subject to compliance monitoring in the past and have provided details and documentation of my
CPD activities, will I be exempt from further compliance monitoring in the future?
It is possible that you will be asked to provide evidence of your CPD activities again.
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If I am complying with all the codes of practice and complete the compliance monitoring questionnaire accordingly,
will I be exempt from selection for a practice visit?
No. The selection of practitioners for practice audits to monitor compliance with the codes of practice is random. All
practitioners who advise they are complying are subject to selection.
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If I am selected for a compliance monitoring practice audit, what can I expect?
The practice audit involves a site visit for up to two hours by the professional Board's trained representative. The
representative will be checking that the minimum required standards are in place in your practice in relation to the following:
- infection control
- medical emergencies
- record keeping
- transmissible major viral infections
- informed consent
- sedation and working relationships (if relevant)
If you are selected for a practice audit and wish to speak to a practitioner who has already been through the audit process, please
contact the Dental Council Secretariat.
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What happens if I don't comply with the Dental Council's requirements?
If you do not comply with the Dental Council's requirement, appropriate action will be taken, depending on the individual
circumstances. Action taken may include:
- a follow-up phone call to discuss the identified non-compliance
- written advice on how to modify practice to the standard required and a realistic timeframe to achieve this
- placing restrictions or conditions on your APC
- suspension of your APC or registration
- referring you to the Council.s competence screening programme with the possibility of a full competence review
- declining to issue an APC.
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What is a professional agreement?
A professional agreement is a signed written document that outlines the professional relationship and responsibilities between
two individual oral health practitioners. It is usually between a dentist (or dental specialist) and another oral health
practitioner.
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Who needs a professional agreement?
The Dental Council codes of practice on professional working relationships for oral health practitioners require that a
professional agreement must be in place for dental therapists and dentists, and dental hygienists and
dentists. Practitioners are asked to declare that a professional agreement is in place as part of the APC application
form. Copies of the professional agreements are required as part of the CPD audit process.
Competency review
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What is a competency review?
A competency review assesses how well a practitioner is performing. A competent practitioner is one who applies knowledge,
skills,
attitudes, communication and judgement to the delivery of appropriate oral health care in accordance with the scope of practice
within which they are registered.
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Who undertakes the competency review?
The relevant professional board will appoint a competence review committee (CRC) to carry out the assessment. The CRC
is usually comprised of two trained peers and one trained lay person. The peers usually include a practitioner familiar
with education, examinations
or peer review.
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What is the process for the competency review?
The competence review committee (CRC) will visit the practitioner in his or her practice. The onsite visit usually lasts
for one day. The CRC will observe and/or review areas of concern identified. This may include clinical management,
practice systems, record keeping, prescribing, or communication skills. Once the review is completed, a report is
prepared for the relevant professional board. The practitioner is invited to comment on the review report and their
comments are also considered by the professional board.
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What are the possible outcomes of a competency review?
If the professional board considers that the practitioner.s practice of the profession does not meet the required standard
of competence, it will require one or more of the following:
- that the practitioner undertakes and educational programme
- that one or more conditions be included on the practitioner.s APC
- that the practitioner sits an examination or undergoes an assessment
- that the practitioner is counselled or assisted by one or more nominated people.
Complaints and concerns
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How do I make a complaint about an oral health practitioner or the dental treatment I have received?
You need to put the complaint in writing, naming the practitioner, describing the event including dates, treatment given and
outcome. Include any supporting documents, such as second opinions, copies of invoices, quotes. Also document any attempts you
have
made to resolve the issue and include a copy of this with your concern. You will also need to include your own name and
contact details.
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What happens when the Dental Council receives a complaint or concern?
When a complaint or concern is received, the practitioner will be told and asked to comment on the matter. If the matter
is considered to be frivolous or vexatious by the professional board, it will not be taken any further. However, if
there is cause for concern, the professional board will assess the information provided against set guidelines. This
assessment may result in a competency review.
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What is the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) in the complaints process?
Complaints are initially assessed by the Health and Disability Commissioner who may decide to investigate the matter or
refer the complaint to the Dental Council.
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As a consumer, what are my rights regarding oral health services?
The Health and Disability Commissioner enforces a Code of Consumers. Rights, which gives all consumers of health and
disability services certain rights. These rights are listed on the HDC website at www.hdc.org.nz/theact/theact-thecode.
General questions from the public
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I require an upper denture/lower denture/set of dentures/a plate made. Where do I go to have this
done?
Only registered dentists and registered clinical dental technicians are allowed to work in the patient's
mouth to take impressions and to fit dentures or plates.
Should you wish to have a set of dentures or a plate made then you should consult either a registered clinical
dental technician or registered dentist.
Refer to the list of registered clinical dental technicians or dentists by clicking
here.
A registered dental technician can make the denture only, using an impression taken by a registered dentist or
registered clinical dental technician.
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I require new dentures to be made. Should I expect the new dentures to fit perfectly when I first
receive them?
Your dentures should fit, but it is not uncommon for you to experience sore spots as you adjust to new chewing
patterns etc.
Sore spots should be addressed by your clinical dental technician (often by adjusting the dentures) before they
develop into painful mouth ulcers. This may take three or four visits for adjustments to get the denture fitting
to your satisfaction.
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How long should my dentures last?
Your dentures should last 7 to 10 years. The teeth wear down at different rates depending on your diet and how
much you grind them. Also, the bony ridges that support your dentures shrink over time, causing your dentures
to become unstable.
During the lifespan of your dentures, the fit may become loose due to these changes in your mouth. This can be
corrected by having the fitting surfaces relined. This is the same principle as re-treading the tyres on your
car.
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Do I contact a Registered Dental Technician or a Registered Clinical Dental Technician if I require a
crown, bridge or implant?
No, you must contact your dentist who will contact a registered dental technician to make the crown, bridge or
implant. The dentist must fit the crown, bridge or implant into your mouth.
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I want immediate dentures. I do not want to go without teeth for several months while my gums shrink
after the extraction of my teeth - Is this possible?
Yes, this can be done by arrangement with your dentist who will work with your clinical dental technician. It is
normal to require one or two "relines" as your gums shrink over the 6 to 12 months after your teeth were
extracted. The "relining" is normally an extra cost to the patient.
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I am considering having grills fitted to my teeth. Are they safe? Who do I see to fit them?
The wearing of grills (or "grillz" or "fronts") can potentially lead to oral health problems and if you are considering
wearing grills it is a good idea to talk to your dentist first.
There are no long-term studies about the safety or harm of wearing grills but the potential exists for grills to irritate
surrounding oral tissues and damage teeth. People who wear grills should be especially careful about oral hygiene and brush
and floss carefully to prevent problems. The grills should be cleaned daily to remove food and plaque bacteria and people
should limit the time spent wearing grills. It is also important to find out what metals the grills are made from to reduce
the potential for an allergic reaction if base metals are used.
Under Dental Council policy clinical dental technicians may provide grills. However, the Dental Council considers that
fitting grills requires the same level of care as fitting a partial denture and expects technicians to first sight an oral
health certificate before proceeding to fit grills.
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