Effective from: 30 June 2014
Review date: 30 June 2017
This registration standard sets out the National Board’s requirements for the scope of practice for dental practitioners.
This registration standard applies to all registered dental practitioners except those with student or non-practising registration.
The Guidelines for scope of practice provide guidance about the expectations and how to meet the requirements of the registration standard. Dental practitioners are expected to understand how to apply these guidelines together with this registration standard.
The National Law establishes possible consequences if you don’t meet this standard, including that registration standards, codes or guidelines may be used in disciplinary proceedings against health practitioners as evidence of what constitutes appropriate practice or conduct for the health profession (section 41 of the National Law).
This registration standard was approved by Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council on 11 April 2014.
Registration standards are developed under section 38 of the National Law and are subject to wide ranging consultation.
Definition of dentistry and practitioner descriptions are included in the Guidelines for scope of practice. Restricted dental acts (section 121 of the National Law) also apply to this definition.
Independent practitioner means a practitioner who may practise without a structured professional relationship.
National Law means the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory.
Programs of study approved by the National Board:
Structured professional relationship means the framework for referral and management to the dentist when the care required falls outside of the scope of practice of the dental hygienist, dental therapist, oral health therapist and/or dental prosthetist and the referral of patients from a dentist to a dental hygienist, dental therapist, oral health therapist and/or dental prosthetist.
Dental Board of Australia, Specialist Registration Standard Dental Board of Australia, Guidelines for scope of practice
This registration standard will be revised at least every three years.
Last reviewed: April 2014
This registration standard replaces the previously published registration standard from 30 June 2014.
1The term dentist refers to dentists, dental specialists and / or a group of dentists
2Refer to the Definitions section of this standard