7 DECEMBER 2006

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 167

The working relationship between dental technicians and
prescribing practising health practitioners is set out in the
Dental Council Code of Practice – The Practice of Dental
Technology and Clinical Dental Technology and the
working relationship within the Practice of Dentistry.

Prescribed Qualifications

● Diploma in Dental Technology (issued by a
New Zealand educational institution) and commenced
prior to 18 September 2004; or
● Bachelor of Dental Technology (University of Otago); or
● an approved overseas dental technology qualification,
plus a pass in the New Zealand Dental Technicians
Registration Examination.

The following scope replaces the Scope for Implant
Assisted Overdentures published in the New Zealand
Gazette, 22 December 2005, No. 210, page 5389.

Scope for Implant Overdentures

Clinical procedures associated with the design, manufacture,
trial fitting and repair of removable complete and partial
implant overdentures prescribed and fitted by a practising
dentist or dental specialist.

Prescribed Qualification

● Registration as a clinical dental technician plus evidence
of appropriate training, completion or commencement of
at least 8 documented cases and a competency attestation
from an appropriately qualified dentist or dental
specialist.

The following scope replaces the Scope for Orthodontic
Auxiliary Practice published in the New Zealand Gazette,
13 July 2006, No. 80, page 2550.

Scope for Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice

The scope of practice for orthodontic auxiliaries is set out
in the documented “Detailed Scope of Orthodontic Auxiliary
Practice” produced and published from time to time by the
Dental Council of New Zealand.

Orthodontic auxiliary practice is a subset of the practice of
dentistry, and is commensurate with an orthodontic
auxiliary’s approved training, experience and competence.

Orthodontic auxiliaries practise to a treatment plan prepared
by a dentist or orthodontist for the patient concerned.
Orthodontic auxiliaries practise under the direct supervision
of a dentist or orthodontist who is present on the premises at
which the work is carried out.
The dentist or orthodontist is responsible for the patient’s
overall clinical care outcomes.

Orthodontic auxiliaries assist the dentist or orthodontist
in implementing orthodontic treatment through performing
such orthodontic procedures as taking impressions and
making study models, inserting and removing some
orthodontic appliances, preparing teeth for bonding, removing
bonding composite and banding cement and providing oral
health education and advice on the care and maintenance of
orthodontic appliances.

Prescribed Qualifications

Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, Academy of
Orthodontic Assisting; possession of a dental therapy, dental
hygiene or dentistry qualification or registration as a
dental auxiliary 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
competency.

For applications received before 31 March 2006

● A minimum of 600 clinical hours’ experience
subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the provision of oral health
services within the scope of orthodontic auxiliary
practice, under the direction and supervision of a dentist
or dental specialist who can attest to competency.

4857

The following scope replaces the Scope for Undertaking
Orthodontic Procedures in Dental Hygiene Practice
published in a Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette,
20 May 2005, No. 81, page 1927.

Scope for Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures in
Dental Hygiene Practice

Dental hygienists with approved training, experience and
competence in orthodontic procedures assist the dentist or
orthodontist in implementing orthodontic treatment plans
through performing such orthodontic procedures as taking
impressions and making study models, inserting, and
removing some orthodontic appliances, preparing teeth for
bonding, removing bonding composite and banding cement
and providing oral health education and advice on the care
and maintenance of orthodontic appliances.

Dental hygienists who undertake orthodontic procedures do
so under the clinical guidance of a dentist or orthodontist
who has prepared a treatment plan for the patient concerned
and is responsible for the patient’s clinical care outcomes.
The procedures involve:

● Oral hygiene instruction, care and maintenance of
orthodontic appliances.
● Taking clinical photographs for records.
● Making study models including taking impressions and
bite records.
● Pre banding polishing of teeth.
● Removing and placing arch wires as formed by the
orthodontist.
● Removing composite/band cement following removal of
fixed appliances.
● Removing O rings.
● De-bonding and de-banding fixed appliances.
● Replacing loose bands.

Prescribed Qualifications

● Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental
Hygiene), University of Otago, conferred from 2002 and
registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice; or
● Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago,
conferred from 2002 and registration in the Scope
of Dental Hygiene Practice; or
● Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, Academy
of Orthodontic Assisting and registration in the Scope of
Dental Hygiene Practice.

For applications received before 19 September 2004

● Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago,
conferred before 2002; registration in the Scope of
Dental Hygiene Practice and a minimum of 150 clinical
hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the
provision of oral health services within the scope of
Orthodontic Procedures in Dental Hygiene Practice,
under the direction and supervision of a dentist or dental
specialist who can attest to competency; or
● Certificate in Dental Hygiene issued by Otago
Polytechnic of New Zealand; registration in the Scope of
Dental Hygiene Practice and a minimum of 150 clinical
hours’ experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the
provision of oral health services within the scope of
Orthodontic Procedures in Dental Hygiene Practice,
under the direction and supervision of a dentist or dental
specialist who can attest to competency; or
● New Zealand Defence Force training programme in
Dental Hygiene; registration in the Scope of Dental
Hygiene Practice and a minimum of 150 clinical hours’
experience subsequent to 1 July 2001 in the provision of
oral health services within the scope of Orthodontic
Procedures in Dental Hygiene Practice, under the