Dental Council of New Zealand

Applying for Registration as a Dental Therapist

For holders of non-prescribed dental therapy qualifications seeking individual assessment under Section 15(2) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act

To be eligible for registration you must have a prescribed qualification. In addition you must satisfy the Dental Council of your fitness and competence to practice.

If you consider that special circumstances exist in respect of your qualifications, training and experience such that the Council might consider them equivalent to a prescribed dental therapy qualification you may submit an application for individual assessment (Form ELIG002) under Section 15(2) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act. In addition, to your ELIG002 form you are also required to provide three professional references (Form R001) and a Dental Therapy Self Assessment form. Overseas-trained practitioners are also required to read the New Zealand Conditions of Practice Resource Book.

The Dental Council will consider your application on an individual basis. If the Council is satisfied that the combination of your qualifications, training and experience is, in fact, equivalent to a prescribed qualification you will be issued with an eligibility letter, stating that you are eligible to apply for registration. To apply for registration you are required to complete Form REG002, which will be sent to you with the letter.

The Council will only approve registration in such circumstances where it is satisfied that the combination of your qualifications, training and experience is, in fact, equivalent to a prescribed qualification. Essential to this assessment will be a review of the applicants training and post graduate experience in paediatric dentistry, preventative care and oral health promotion.

The Dental Hygiene-Dental Therapist Board will consider ELIG002 applications on an individual basis to determine the qualifications are equivalent to a prescribed qualification. Where the Board is not satisfied that equivalence exists it will either decline the application or require the applicant to sit and pass the New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination (NZDTREX) before registration is granted.

Outcomes of the individual assessment:

Equivalency with the prescribed qualification is established - applicant may proceed with the registration process as a prescribed applicant
Equivalency with the prescribed qualification is not established but evidence of training and post graduate experience in paediatric dentistry, preventative care and oral health promotion is demonstrated - applicant may apply to sit the next available New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination (NZDTREX)
Equivalency with the prescribed qualification is not established nor is evidence of training and post graduate experience in paediatric dentistry, preventative care and oral health promotion demonstrated - applicant does not met the entry requirements for the New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination (NZDTREX). Practitioners in this situation are recommended to contact one of New Zealand's approved training providers for oral health qualifications and seek recognition of prior learning. Recognition of prior learning is at the discretion of the training provider and the outcome of any individual assessment has no influence on their decisions

The correct fees must accompany your ELIG002 and REG002 applications. See the fees schedule for current fees.