Revised PII standard for all dental practitioners takes effect from today

01 Jul 2016

In December 2015, the Board published a revised registration standard for professional indemnity insurance (PII) arrangements that takes effect from today.

The revised standard now applies to all registered dental practitioners except those with non-practising registration.

What do you need to do?

It is your responsibility, as a dental practitioner, to ensure that you comply with the revised standard by the time you renew your registration, which is due by 30 November 2016.

What has changed?

The revised PII arrangements registration standard has not changed significantly. Some changes have been made to improve the clarity and workability of the standard, and understanding of the requirements and obligations of registrants.

Transition period to meet the new standard

The Board published the standard well in advance of its commencement to provide dental practitioners adequate time to ensure that their arrangements for PII will meet the revised registration standard. To ensure a smooth transition to this revised standard, the Board has allowed for a transition period to meet the standard. 

All dental practitioners must meet the revised standard by the time they renew their registration which is due by 30 November 2016.

Until that time, it is acceptable that your PII arrangements meet the Board’s registration standard for PII arrangements dated 1 July 2010 (which expires on 30 June 2016). However, if your PII policy is due for renewal in the meantime you should ensure that your new policy meets the revised standard.

What if your PII policy is not due for renewal until after your registration is due for renewal?

If your PII arrangements policy is not due for renewal before you renew your registration, you will need to contact your insurer to ensure that your policy covers all requirements set out in the revised standard. If necessary, you will need to have your policy adjusted so that it meets the revised standard by the time you renew your registration.

What if your registration is not due for renewal by 30 November 2016?

Dental practitioners whose registration is not due for renewal by 30 November 2016 must meet the requirements of the new standard by 30 November 2016.

Additional resources

More information about the new PII arrangements standard, including the brief consultation report, FAQs and a fact sheet, is available on the Professional indemnity insurance arrangements page of the AHPRA website.