| Information to work in this country is available from: |
Dental Council of New Zealand
www.dcnz.org.nz
|
| Special conditions that may apply for hygienists that obtain employment: |
Hygienists practice under 'clinical guidance' — dentist does not have to be on premises at all times for most procedures.
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| Contact for Work Permit and/or Visa: |
New Zealand Immigration Services at the nearest Consulate or Embassy.
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| Is a job offer required before a Work Permit/Visa is issued? |
Yes.
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| Main local and/or official language(s): |
Pass in English competency exam required
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| Are hygienists qualified overseas required to sit the country's national examination? |
Overseas trained may have to sit NZDHREX — education evaluated by Dental Hygiene Board appointed educators. NZ Conditions of Practice exam required of all applicants
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| Information on the local working environment: |
Hygienists work in private practice. Treatment primarily adults as Dental Therapists treat most children
|
| Standard tasks that hygienists are allowed to undertake in the country: |
- Obtaining and assessing medical and dental histories
- Examination of oral tissues and recognition of abnormalities
- Assessing and provisionally diagnosing disease of periodontal tissue, and appropriate referral
- Obtaining informed consent for dental hygiene care plans
- Providing oral health education, information promotion and counseling
- Scaling, debridement and prophylaxis of supra and subgingival tooth surfaces
- Applying prescription preventive agents under the direct supervision of a dentist
- Applying and dispensing non-prescriptin preventive agents and fissure sealants
- Applying and dispensing topical agents for the treatment of tooth surface sensitivity and discolouration
- Taking impressions, recording occlusal relationships and making study models
- Taking impressions, constructing and fitting mouthguards and bleaching trays
- Performing postoperative procedures such as removal of sutures and placement and removal of periodontal dressings
- Recontouring and polishing restorations
- Local Anaesthetic (additional scope must be applied for)
- Taking intra and extraoral radiographs (additional scope must be applied for)
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| Further information: |
Dental hygiene became a Registered profession in September 2004. All those wishing to work in NZ must apply to the Dental Council (www.dcnz.org.nz) and meet New Zealand immigration requirements.
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| Links to related web sites: |
WHO Oral Health: Country/Area Profile Programme
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| Information based on data received by IFDH in: |
2005
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New Zealand
