Dental Council

Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003

Notice of Replacement of Scopes of Practice

Pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, this notice is issued by the Dental Council.

The following scope of practice replaces the Scope for Dental Technology Practice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 7 December 2006, No. 167, page 4856.

Dental Technicians

Scope for Dental Technology Practice

The Scope of Practice for Dental Technicians is set out in the documented “Detailed Scope for Dental Technology Practice” produced and published from time to time by the Dental Council.

Dental Technology practice is a subset of the practice of dentistry, and is commensurate with a Dental Technician’s approved education, training and competence.

It involves processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of fixed and removable oral and extraoral appliances and prostheses prescribed by a practising dental specialist, dentist, clinical dental technician, medical practitioner or other practising health practitioner.

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.

Detailed Scope for Dental Technology Practice

The Dental Council defines the practice of Dental Technology as processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of fixed and removable oral and extraoral appliances and prostheses prescribed by a practising dental specialist, dentist, clinical dental technician, medical practitioner or other practising health practitioner.

This involves:

• selection of appropriate dental materials for the design, manufacture and repair of fixed and removable oral and extraoral appliances and prostheses prescribed by a practising dental specialist, dentist, clinical dental technician, medical practitioner or other practising health practitioner.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of complete removable dentures and overdentures.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of removable partial dentures including precision attachments.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of crowns and bridges including precision attachments on natural teeth and implants.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of implant overdentures and implant supported dentures.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of tissue and implant supported maxillofacial, ocular and auricular appliances and prostheses, and other appliances and prostheses involved in the overall prosthetic rehabilitation of patients.

• processes and procedures associated with the design, manufacture and repair of specialist treatment appliances such as, but not limited to: diagnostic stents and radiographic stents, appliances for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, appliances for the treatment of speech disorders, appliances for the treatment of sleep disorders and appliances for the treatment of audio disorders.

• undertake shade taking and shade checking, which may include the removal of a pre-loosened temporary crown and try-in of the permanent crown, without removal or placement of an abutment, as prescribed by dentists or dental specialists under specific conditions as set out below and as described below.

• the removal of a pre-loosened temporary crown and try-in or a permanent crown under the prescription of, and prior to the final fitting by, a dentist or dental specialist including clear, written procedures provided by the referring dentist or dental specialist which the technician must follow.

Practice in this context goes wider than dental technology to include teaching, research, and management, given that such roles influence clinical and technical practice and public safety. Areas of dental technology practice that were not included in a practitioner’s training should not be undertaken unless the practitioner has completed appropriate training and practices to the standard required by the relevant Code of Practice.

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 of practice replaces the Scope for Clinical Dental Technology Practice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 20 May 2005, No. 81, page 1927.

Scope for Clinical Dental Technology Practice

The Scope of Practice for Clinical Dental Technicians is set out in the documented “Detailed Scope for Clinical Dental Technology Practice” produced and published from time to time by the Dental Council.

Clinical Dental Technology practice is a subset of the practice of dentistry, and is commensurate with a Clinical Dental Technician’s approved education, training and competence.

It involves the scope of practice for Dental Technicians, plus the fitting of complete removable dentures and the fitting of some other types of removable dentures and oral and extraoral appliances under specific conditions – as set out in the detailed scope of practice.

The working relationship between clinical 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.

Detailed Scope for Clinical Dental Technology Practice

The Dental Council defines the practice of clinical dental technology as: