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Overview of the Dental Council
The Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ) is constituted under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the
Act) as the registration authority for the dental professions. The Act requires registration authorities to protect the health
and safety of members of the public by providing for mechanisms to ensure that health practitioners are competent and fit to
practice their professions. To achieve this, the Dental Council provides a framework for the regulation of the dental
professions.
The dental professions regulated by the Council are dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and
clinical dental technicians. The professions include dental specialists and orthodontic auxiliaries.
The Dental Council is appointed by the Minister of Health. It has ten members including seven practitioner members (three
dentists, one dental therapist, one dental hygienist and one dental technician - one of whom is a dental education specialist)
and three lay members. Members are appointed for a term of three years and may be reappointed for further terms but may not
serve for more than nine consecutive years. Each year the Council elects two of its members as chair and deputy.
The Mission of the Dental Council
To protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring oral health practitioners are competent and fit to practise.
The Vision of the Dental Council
To provide a framework for oral health practitioners to deliver best practice standard of oral health care for the public of New Zealand.
The Goals of the Dental Council
- Administer the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 fairly and effectively.
- Maintain an efficient organisation that is sustainable and responsive.
- Promote and communicate Council.s functions to stakeholders and the public of New Zealand.
- Promote best practice that is well respected.
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