New Zealand Gazette – 2005 – No. 81

Page 1940

✨ Dental Hygiene Practice Guidelines



1940 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 81 20 MAY 2005

Dental Hygienists and Auxiliaries

Scope of General Dental Hygiene Practice

The scope of practice for dental hygiene is set out in the documented "Detailed Scope of General Dental Hygiene Practice" produced and published from time to time by the Dental Council.

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

A dental hygienist’s major role is in the provision of oral health education and the prevention of oral disease to promote healthy oral behaviours. A dental hygienist’s primary task is in prevention and non-surgical treatment of periodontal diseases. A dental hygienist guides patients’ personal care to maintain sound oral tissues as an integral part of their general health.

Dental hygienists practise in a team situation with clinical guidance provided by a practising dentist or dental specialist(^5).

Prescribed Qualifications

  • Certificate in Dental Hygiene issued by Otago Polytechnic and approved experience in the provision of oral health services within the scope of dental hygiene practice; or

  • New Zealand Defence Force training programme in Dental Hygiene and approved experience in the provision of oral health services within the scope of dental hygiene practice; or

  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene issued by a New Zealand educational institution; or

  • Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Hygiene), University of Otago; or

  • Undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma from an Australian Dental Council accredited educational institution; or

  • Undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma, or undergraduate dental degree; and a pass in the DCNZ Dental Hygiene Registration Examination.

For applications received before 19/9/04

  • New Zealand Dental Association Operating Auxiliaries Course and hold a prescribed qualification for the Scope of General Dental Therapy and a minimum

(^5) Clinical guidance means the professional support and assistance provided to a dental hygienist by a practising dentist or dental specialist as part of the provision of overall integrated care to the patient group. Dental hygienists 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 patient group.
Dental hygienists are responsible and accountable for their own clinical practice within their scope of practice but the dentist or dental specialist is responsible and accountable for the clinical guidance provided.
Further detail on the working relationship between dental hygienists and dentists will be set out in the relevant Dental Council Code of Practice.



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Online Sources for this page:

VUW Te Waharoa — PDF NZ Gazette 2005, No 81


Gazette.govt.nz — PDF NZ Gazette 2005, No 81




✨ LLM interpretation of page content

🏥 Scope of General Dental Hygiene Practice (continued from previous page)

🏥 Health & Social Welfare
Dental Hygiene, Scope of Practice, Clinical Guidance, Qualifications

🏥 Prescribed Qualifications for Dental Hygienists

🏥 Health & Social Welfare
Dental Hygiene, Qualifications, Education, Registration