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Codes of Practice and Council Statements
Compliance with Codes of Practice and Council Statements
Oral health practitioners must comply with legal, professional and ethical standards. This includes the
standards promulgated in Dental Council Codes of Practice and Council Statements. These standards
must be met unless there is a good reason for not doing so. Failure to meet the standards set by the
Council, without good reason, will on the face of it be a breach of a practitioner's professional duties,
and may breach a particular patient's rights.
All practitioners should be familiar with the codes and ensure that they are adhering to the minimum standards set out within the
codes. Practitioners who are employees and limited from meeting all aspects of a code by their provided working environment are
advised to ensure that they are complying with all areas where they have control and responsibility. Refer to the Council policy statement on compliance with codes of practice and council
statements.
Click on the appropriate link below to find the codes for your profession:
Codes of Practice - Dentists and Dental Specialists
The Codes of Practice below have been developed by the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) and
endorsed by the Council as the minimum acceptable standards for dentists and dental specialist practice.
The Council urges dentists to take responsibility for ensuring that they reach and
maintain these standards. The codes are an important tool for assuring the public that
professional standard issues are being addressed by the profession and also provide
directions for disciplinary decisions, which arise in cases alleging professional
misconduct.
The Council is indebted to the NZDA for the work undertaken in this area and will continue
to review and endorse additional codes.
To complete a self audit on the Codes of Practice click on the link following. The questionnaire contains sections in relation to
Infection Control, Informed Consent, Medical Emergencies, Patient Information and Records, Transmissible Major Viral Infections,
Intravenous Sedation, and Professional Relationships Associated with the Practice of Dental Therapy, Hygiene, Dental Technology and
Clinical Dental Technology.
Codes of Practice - Dental Hygienists and Orthodontic Auxiliaries
The Council urges dental hygienists and orthodontic auxiliaries to take responsibility for ensuring that they reach and
maintain these standards. The codes are an important tool for assuring the public that professional standard issues are
being addressed by the profession and also provide directions for disciplinary decisions, which arise in cases alleging
professional misconduct.
The Generic Codes of Practice below for dental therapy, dental hygiene and dental technology have been
endorsed by the Council as the minimum acceptable standard.
Codes of Practice - Dental Therapists
The Council urges dental therapists to take responsibility for ensuring that they
reach and maintain these standards. The codes are an important tool for assuring the public that professional
standard issues are being addressed by the profession and also provide directions for disciplinary decisions,
which arise in cases alleging professional misconduct.
The Generic Codes of Practice below for dental therapy, dental hygiene and dental technology have been
endorsed by the Council as the minimum acceptable standard.
Codes of Practice - Dental Technicians and Clinical Dental Technicians
The Council urges dental technicians and clinical dental technicians to take responsibility for ensuring that they
reach and maintain these standards. The codes are an important tool for assuring the public that professional
standard issues are being addressed by the profession and also provide directions for disciplinary decisions,
which arise in cases alleging professional misconduct.
The Generic Codes of Practice below for dental therapy, dental hygiene and dental technology have been
endorsed by the Council as the minimum acceptable standard.
Council Statements
Principles of Ethical Conduct for Oral Health Practitioners
This Council statement
summarises the standards of ethical conduct to be observed oral health practitioners. This
statement should be read in conjunction with the Codes of Ethics established by the relevant professional associations
and with other relevant legislation, standards, policies and procedures defining professional practice and conduct.
Cultural Competence
This Council statement outlines the attitudes, knowledge and skills
expected of oral health practitioners in their dealings with all patients.
Best practices when providing care to Maori patients and their whanau
This Council statement outlines the attitudes,
knowledge and skills relevant to oral health practitioners in providing advice to and care for Maori patients and their whanau
(families). This resource has been developed to enable practitioners to integrate cultural competency for Maori patients within
their clinical practice and to achieve better outcomes.
Practice Statement for Cosmetic Dentistry
Practitioners should take this Statement into account when providing
cosmetic dentistry procedures. The Council statement provides guidance for those practitioners undertaking cosmetic dentistry
procedures.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Dentistry
This Council statement contains the principles that
represent current best practice for dentists and dental specialists who use Cone Beam Computed Tomography.
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