17 MARCH 2011

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 32

873

Dental hygiene practice involves:

• obtaining and reassessing medical and dental health histories
• examination of oral tissues and recognition of abnormalities
• assessing and provisionally diagnosing disease of periodontal tissues, and appropriate referral
• obtaining informed consent for dental hygiene care plans
• providing oral health education, information, promotion and counselling
• scaling, debridement and prophylaxis of supra and subgingival tooth surfaces
• applying prescription preventive agents under the direct clinical supervision of a dentist(^2)
• applying and dispensing non-prescription preventive agents and fissure sealants
• applying and dispensing topical agents for the treatment of tooth surface sensitivity and tooth discolouration
• administering topical local anaesthetic
• taking impressions, recording occlusal relationships and making study models
• taking impressions, constructing and fitting mouthguards and bleaching trays
• taking intra and extra-oral photographs
• performing postoperative procedures such as removal of sutures and placement and removal of periodontal dressings
• recontouring and polishing of restorations
• administering of local anaesthetic using dentoalveolar infiltration and inferior dental nerve block techniques under the direct clinical supervision of a dentist or specialist
• assisting the dentist or orthodontist in implementing orthodontic treatment plans through performing such orthodontic procedures as: making study models including taking impressions and occlusal registration; taking clinical photographs for records; inserting, and removing some orthodontic appliances; pre-banding polishing of teeth; removing and placing arch wires as formed by the orthodontist; removing bonding composite and banding cement; removing O rings; de-bonding and de-banding fixed appliances; replacing loose bands and providing oral health education and advice on the care and maintenance of orthodontic appliances. These are done under the clinical guidance and to a treatment plan prepared by the dentist or orthodontist responsible for the patient’s clinical care outcomes
• taking periapical and bitewing radiographs for the purpose of recognising disease of the periodontium(^3)
• taking extra-oral radiographs.

Prescribed Qualifications

1. Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago; or
2. Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health, Auckland University of Technology; and Dental Council approved course for Orthodontic Procedures; or
3. 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; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography; or
4. 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; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography; or
5. Diploma in Dental Hygiene issued by a New Zealand educational institution; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography; or
6. Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago (Orthodontic Procedures conferred from 2002) and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic and Extra-oral Radiography; or
7. Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Hygiene), University of Otago; or
8. an undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma from the Australian Dental Council or Dental Board of Australia accredited educational institution that included education in Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography and registration in Australia(^4); or
9. an undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma, or undergraduate dental degree; and a pass in the Dental Council Dental Hygiene Registration Examination; or
10. an undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma or undergraduate dental degree and a pass in the USA National Board Dental Hygiene Examination or Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination and a pass in a USA or Canadian regional or state board dental hygiene clinical examination; and registration with a USA or Canadian dental authority; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography; or
11. a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma; a pass in the USA National Board Dental Hygiene Examination or Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination; and registration with a USA or Canadian dental authority; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography; or
12. a General Dental Council (GDC) accredited undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma from the United Kingdom; and registration with the GDC; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography; or
13. a Certificate or Diploma in Dental Hygiene conferred by the GDC; and registration with the GDC; and Dental Council approved courses for Administering Local Anaesthetic, Undertaking Orthodontic Procedures, Intra-oral Radiography and Extra-oral Radiography.