The Process

An overseas qualified dental hygienist and/or dental therapist can apply to register if they have a prescribed qualification. A prescribed qualification is one that has been through a formal accreditation process to verify that it is of an appropriate quality and standard, either by DCNZ or another jurisdiction whose accreditation processes are recognised by DCNZ. Prescribed qualifications are gazetted against the relevant scope of practice. To see if your qualification has been prescribed, refer to the list below.

Follow the link to learn more about prescribed qualifications under the dental hygiene scope of practice

Follow the link to learn more about prescribed qualifications under the dental therapy scope of practice

Follow the link to learn more about prescribed qualifications under the oral health therapy scope of practice

Please note that some prescribed qualifications could result in exclusions being placed on your practice as certain areas of practice were not covered in the training, such as local anaesthetic, orthodontic procedures and intra and extra oral radiography. If your qualification did include these areas of practice, or you have completed subsequent training courses in there areas, once you have gained registration, you may apply to have these exclusions removed from your scope of practice.

For those without prescribed qualifications, there are two ways to apply to register in New Zealand as an Oral Health Therapist (Dental Hygienist/Dental Therapist). You can either:

• Sit an examination

• Apply to have your overseas, non-prescribed qualifications, training and experience assessed.

Sitting an exam:

If you want to register a dental hygienist, dental therapist, and/or an oral health therapist, and you do not have a prescribed qualification, you can sit the examination relevant to the scope of practice you wish to register.

To register as a dental hygienist, you can sit ‘The New Zealand Dental Hygiene Registration Examination’

To register as a dental therapist, you can sit ‘The New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination’ and

To register as an oral health therapist, you can sit ‘The New Zealand Oral Health Therapy Registration Examination’

In all cases, the examinations consists of two parts, written and clinical. You must pass the written examination before you can sit the clinical examination.

Applying to have your overseas, non-prescribed qualifications, training and experience assessed.

If you do not have an overseas prescribed qualification, but believe your qualifications, training and experience are equivalent to a prescribed qualification, you can apply for individual assessment. You can submit your overseas, non-prescribed qualifications, training and experience to be assessed. The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the HPCA Act) provides that DCNZ may treat an overseas qualification as a prescribed qualification if, in its opinion, the qualification is equivalent to, or as satisfactory as, a prescribed qualification.

It is a legal requirement that for an overseas qualified oral health therapist (dental hygienist/therapist) to be registered as an oral health practitioner within a scope of practice in New Zealand. You must first establish that you—

(a) are fit for registration,

(b) have the qualification(s) prescribed for that scope of practice, and

(c) are competent to practise within that scope of practice.

If embarking on the individual assessment route, it is up to the individual to demonstrate to the Dental Council that they can satisfy each of the three components. If they cannot satisfy any one of the three components, the application for registration will be declined. If they are able to provide documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Council, that their qualification(s) may be treated as equivalent to, or as satisfactory as, a prescribed qualification and they can demonstrate your competence to practise in the scope of practice in which they wish to register, they may apply for an individual assessment.

For more information about individual assessment please refer to the Dental Council’s web page on information on individual assessment which can be found here

A quick summary of the steps involved in the individual assessment process are provided below

• Determine fitness for registration

• Assessment of your qualification(s)

• Assessment of your competence

• Review of practice experience

• Online interview

• Council consideration and decision.

The process for individual assessment can be a lengthy and cumbersome process that involves handling a huge number of paper work, planning, preparation, and most importantly, dedication, Our experienced consultants are here to support you if you do decide to apply for registration via the individual assessment route. We will provide one to one guidance on completing your application, preparation of documents for your qualification and competence assessments, guidance on preparing your cases, and preparation for interviews with the assessor. On successful registration, we are able to assist with finding an employment and/or mentor in New Zealand.

Book a 1:1 consultation today with one of our consultants