Prescribed qualifications

1. 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.
    
   
2. Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting, New Zealand Association of Orthodontists: Orthodontic Auxiliary Training Programme.
    
   
3. Bachelor of Health Science (Endorsement in Dental Hygiene), University of Otago, conferred from 2002 and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice.
    
   
4. Bachelor of Oral Health, University of Otago and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice.
    
   
5. Diploma in Dental Hygiene, University of Otago conferred from 2002 and registration in the Scope of Dental Hygiene Practice.
    
   

Process steps associated with the first two pathways

• Step 1: Appointment of Supervisor
   
  Under the provisions of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003), unregistered persons are permitted to practise only if they are engaged in a course of training or instruction which has been prescribed for registration purposes. This means that prospective orthodontic auxiliary applicants can undertake supervised orthodontic auxiliary duties whilst completing a prescribed training programme, prior to applying for registration as an orthodontic auxiliary.
   
  The supervised orthodontic auxiliary duties must be overseen by a registered dentist or dental specialist who holds a current Annual Practising Certificate. The supervising dentist/dental specialist must:
   
  
  • be onsite at all times to advise, guide, monitor, participate or intervene in all procedures undertaken by the applicant; and
  • ensure that patients are aware that the person providing the orthodontic auxiliary care is under training and ensure the patient consents to this. All patients need to consent to this by completing the provided consent form OA002 - Consent for aspects of orthodontic care.
     
    
  In the event the supervising dentist or dental specialist has concerns about an applicant's competence to practise orthodontic auxiliary duties at any time before or during the supervision, the supervisor must inform the Council and also take action in relation to the trainees continued training.
   
  Trainees can apply for the approval of their supervisor (dentist or dental specialist), by submitting a correctly completed application form to undertake supervised activities (OA001). The trainee and supervisor will receive confirmation of the appointment of the supervisor and the supervisor will be issued with a supervision protocol.
   
  All trainees MUST obtain confirmation of a Council approved supervisor PRIOR to the performing any clinical activities.
   
  
• Step 2: Obtain the Qualification
   
  The trainees can then proceed to obtain the Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting qualification which consists of two parts:
  1. the successful completion of all the online modules, and
  2. the successful completion of the Two Day Clinical Programme, currently run by the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO) within New Zealand.
      
     
  Enrolment into the online modules is done through Trapezio (which is the new brand for Academy of Orthodontic Assisting). Please refer to the Trapezio website for more information on the Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting - www.trapezio.com.
   
  Once you've passed the online course, and you've received formal notification of this from Trapezio, you can proceed by enroling into the Two Day Clinical Programme by contacting NZAO - contact details available on www.orthodontists.org.nz/contact.asp.
   
  Successful completion of the online course and Two Day Clinical Programme will grant you the Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting qualification.
   
  
• Step 3: Registration application
   
  After obtaining the Graduate Certificate of Orthodontic Assisting and the supervisor is assured of the competency of the candidate in all the clinical tasks within the Scope of Practice for an Orthodontic Auxiliary, the supervisor verifies the candidate.s competence by attesting to this in writing to Council.
   
  The candidates will then be deemed eligible to apply for registration and receive the registration form (REG006) to be completed and submitted with the following supporting documentation to Council:
  - Certified copy of online course certificate;
  - Certified copy of Two Day Clinical Programme certificate; and
  - REG006 (and all related information e.g. Hep reports, Identification etc as requested in the registration form.)
   
  

• Step 1: Contact New Zealand Association of Orthodontists to determine eligibility for training
   
  Please contact the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO) for information to determine whether you are eligible to enrol into this qualification programme. www.orthodontists.org.nz/contact.asp.
   
  
• Step 2: Obtain the Qualification
   
  Complete the training programme through the accredited provider, NZAO. Once you have obtained the qualification you are eligible to apply for registration.
   
  
• Step 3: Registration application
   
  Once you have obtained the qualification contact the Dental Council which will provide you with the correct registration form (REG006).
   
  The completed registration form must then be submitted with the following supporting documentation to Council:
  - Certified copy of NZAO qualification; and
  - Certified copy of online course certificate;
  - Certified copy of Two Day Clinical Programme certificate; and
  - REG006 (and all related information e.g. Hep reports, Identification etc as requested in the registration form).
   
  

Dental Council Approved Courses