The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act) describes a scope of practice as the health service that a practitioner registered in that scope of practice is permitted to perform, subject to any conditions for the time being imposed by the responsible authority.

The Council publishes a scope of practice as a Notice in the New Zealand Gazette under section 11 of the Act.

Scope of practice for dental therapy

The scope of practice for dental therapists is set out in the documented “Detailed Scope of Practice for Dental Therapy Practice” produced and published from time to time by the Dental Council.

Dental therapy practice is a subset of the practice of dentistry, and is commensurate with a dental therapist’s approved education, training and competence.

Dental therapists provide oral health assessment, treatment, management and prevention services for children and adolescents up to age 18. Disease prevention and oral health promotion and maintenance are core activities.

Dental therapists and dentists have a consultative working relationship, which is documented in an agreement between the parties.

Detailed scope of practice for dental therapy practice

The Dental Council defines the practice of dentistry as 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.

Dental therapy practice is a subset of the practice of dentistry, and is commensurate with a dental therapist’s approved education, training and competence.

Dental therapists and dentists have a consultative working relationship, which is documented in an agreement between the parties.

In collaboration with dentists and other health care professionals, and in partnership with individuals, whãnau and communities, dental therapists provide oral health assessment, treatment, management and prevention services for children and adolescents up to age 18. Disease prevention and oral health promotion and maintenance are core activities.

Dental therapy practice involves:

• obtaining medical histories and consulting with other health practitioners as appropriate
• examination of oral tissues, diagnosis of dental caries and recognition of abnormalities
• preparation of an oral care plan
• informed consent procedures
• administration of local anaesthetic using dentoalveolar infiltration, inferior dental nerve block and topical local anaesthetic techniques
• preparation of cavities and restoration of primary and permanent teeth using direct placement of appropriate dental materials
• extraction of primary teeth
• pulp capping in primary and permanent teeth
• preventive dentistry including cleaning, polishing and scaling (to remove deposits in association with gingivitis), fissure sealants, and fluoride applications
• oral health education and promotion
• taking of impressions for, constructing and fitting mouthguards¹
• referral as necessary to the appropriate practitioner/agency
• performing pulpotomies on primary teeth.
• taking and interpreting periapical and bitewing radiographs
• preparing teeth for, and placing stainless steel crowns on primary teeth.

Dental therapy practice includes teaching, research and management given that such roles influence clinical practice and public safety.

1 Dental therapists who have not received training in this area as part of their undergraduate programme can undertake this activity only in accordance with the Council’s standards framework.

Scope of practice for adult care in dental therapy practice

The provision of oral health assessment, treatment, management and prevention services; within the general dental therapy scope of practice; for adult patients aged 18 years and older that, depending on the dental therapist’s qualifications, is provided in a team situation under direct clinical supervision² or the clinical guidance³ of a practising dentist/s or dental specialist/s. Disease prevention and oral health promotion and maintenance are core activities.

2. Direct clinical supervision means the clinical supervision provided to a dental therapist by a practising dentist or dental specialist when the dentist is present on the premises at the time the dental therapy work is carried out.

3. Clinical guidance means the professional support and assistance provided to a dental therapist by a practising dentist or dental specialist as part of the provision of overall integrated care to the adult patient group. Dental therapists and dentists/specialists normally work from the same premises providing a team approach. Clinical guidance may be provided at a distance but appropriate access must be available to ensure that the dentist or specialist is able to provide guidance and advice, when required and maintain general oversight of the clinical care outcomes of the adult patient group.

Prescribed qualifications for the dental therapy scope of practice.