22 DECEMBER 2011 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 200 5753

Postage and Packaging Charge: Mail Orders

If two or more copies are ordered, the remittance should cover the cash price and the maximum charge for the total value of purchases as follows:

Copies can be bought or ordered by mail from Legislation Direct, PO Box 12418, Thorndon, Wellington 6144. Please quote title and serial numbers. Prices for quantities supplied on application. Copies are also available over the counter at the following locations:

Bennetts Bookshops: Bowen House, corner of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street, Wellington; University of Waikato, Gate 5 Hillcrest Road, Hamilton; Bennetts University Bookshop, Massey University, Palmerston North; Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Madras Street, Christchurch. Whitcoulls: 34 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North; 143 George Street, Dunedin; 210 Queen Street, Auckland.

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General Section

Dental Council

Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003

Notice of Replacement Prescribed Qualifications for Scope of Practice

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

The following replaces the prescribed qualifications for the “Scope of Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice” in the notice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 4 March 2010, No. 25, page 592.

Scope of Orthodontic Auxiliary Practice

Prescribed Qualifications

• Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, Academy of Orthodontic Assisting; possession of a dental therapy, dental hygiene or dentistry qualification 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(^1).
• Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, New Zealand Association of Orthodontists: Orthodontic Auxiliary Training Programme(^2).
• Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Hygiene), University of Otago, conferred from 2002 and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice; or
• Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago 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.

(^1)The Dental Council approved this prescribed qualification on 10 July 2006.

(^2)The Dental Council approved this prescribed qualification on 15 February 2010.

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Notice of Replacement of Scope of Practice

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

The following replaces the scope of practice for the “Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice” in the notice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 17 March 2011, No. 32, page 872.

Dental Hygiene

Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice

The scope of practice for dental hygiene is set out in the documented “Detailed Scope of Practice for 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(^1), though some aspects of the scope of practice are provided under direct clinical supervision(^2).