NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 84

12 JULY 2012

root/tooth overdentures subject to the patient having obtained an oral health certificate from and on the prescription of a dentist or dental specialist, and prior to the final fitting² by a dentist or dental specialist.

Practice in this context goes wider than clinical dental technology to include teaching, research, and management, given that such roles influence clinical and technical practice and public safety.

• processes and procedures associated with extraoral maxillofacial prostheses, for those with formal training or if they can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge and training to undertake this work³:

  • Taking impressions and undertaking other non-invasive clinical procedures involved in the fitting, construction and repair of extraoral maxillofacial prostheses, that are not in direct communication with the naso- or the oropharyngeal airway under the prescription of a dentist, dental specialist or medical practitioner, who remains responsible for the clinical outcomes of the patient.

  • Taking impressions of maxillofacial defects that are in direct communication with the naso- or the oropharyngeal airway, for those clinical dental technicians with formal training or if they can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge and training to undertake this work, and only under the direct clinical supervision of a dentist, dental specialist or medical practitioner qualified to manage an airway emergency, who remains responsible for the clinical outcomes of the patient.

• taking impressions and undertaking other non-invasive clinical procedures involved in the construction of removable complete and partial implant overdentures on the prescription of, and prior to the final fitting² by a dentist or dental specialist. This does not include removal or placement of abutments such as healing, temporary or permanent, or fixture level/subgingival impression copings.

• repairing and/or relining of removable complete and partial implant overdentures on the prescription of and prior to the final fit² by a dentist or dental specialist and appropriate referral when indicated.

• designing, constructing, repairing and supplying appliances for the treatment of sleep disorders only on the prescription of a registered dentist, dental specialist or medical practitioner.

• taking impressions and undertaking other non-invasive procedures involved in the construction of an anti-snoring device, however, only a dentist, dental specialist or medical practitioner, who retains responsibility for the clinical care outcomes, can perform the final fit² of the appliance.

• in relation to the above activities:

  • Obtaining medical and dental histories and consulting with other health practitioners as appropriate.

  • Examination of the oral tissues to ensure that the patient’s mouth is fit for purpose and free of disease, disorder or abnormality.

  • Referral of patients to a dentist, dental specialist or medical practitioner when any disease, disorder or abnormality is detected.

  • Referral of patients to a dentist, dental specialist or medical practitioner for a prescription for an oral health certificate and treatment plan where required.

  • Preparation of a treatment plan (in association with a prescription if required) and communicating this to the patient.

  • Oral health education and promotion.

Areas of clinical dental technology practice which were not included in a practitioner’s training should not be undertaken unless the practitioner has completed appropriate training and practises to the standard required by the Dental Council Policy on Advanced Areas of Practice and the Code of Practice on The Practice of Dental Technology and Clinical Dental Technology and the working relationship within the Practice of Dentistry.

The following scope of practice replaces the Scope for Scope for Implant Overdentures published in the New Zealand Gazette, 21 October 2010, No. 143, page 3602.

Additional Scopes of Practice for Clinical Dental Technology Practice

Scope for Implant Overdentures

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

The scope involves 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.

Detailed Scope for Implant Overdentures

As well as the activities delineated in the detailed scopes for dental technology and clinical dental technology practice, the additional scope for implant overdenture practice includes:

• taking impressions and undertaking other non-invasive clinical procedures involved in the construction of removable complete and partial implant overdentures on the prescription of, and prior to the final fitting⁴ by, a dentist or dental specialist.

• repairing removable complete and partial implant overdentures prescribed and fitted by a dentist or dental specialist and appropriate referral when indicated.

• relining removable complete and partial implant overdentures on the prescription of, and prior to the final fitting by a dentist or dental specialist⁴.

Key to Annotations

1 Final fitting for dental technicians means ensuring the patient returns to the prescribing dentist/dental specialist as soon as possible on the same day for the refitting of the temporary or permanent restoration.

2 Final fitting for clinical dental technicians means ensuring the patient is referred back to the prescribing dentist/dental specialist for the subsequent management and ongoing monitoring of that patient’s oral health.

3 Practitioners should demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge and training to undertake extraoral maxillofacial prostheses work in accordance with the Council’s Policy on Advanced and New Areas of Practice.

4 Final fitting for clinical dental technicians means ensuring the patient is referred back to the prescribing dentist/dental specialist for the subsequent management and ongoing monitoring of that patient’s oral health.