Notice Type
General Section
Notice Title

Notice of Qualifications Prescribed by the Dental Council

Pursuant to section 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Dental Council hereby gives notice of replacement prescribed qualifications for the following scopes of practice:


Prescribed Qualifications for Registration as an Oral Medicine Specialist

The following replaces the prescribed qualifications for the Scope of Practice for Oral Medicine Specialists, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 24 November 2016, Issue No. 108, Notice No. 2016-gs6517.

  • MDS/MBChB (Oral Medicine) University of Otago;
  • DClinDent (Oral Medicine) University of Otago and a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools1,2;
  • an ADC accredited MDS or MDSc or DClinDent programme in Oral Medicine3 and a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools;
  • a Dental Board of Australia approved programme of study providing a qualification for the purposes of specialist registration in oral medicine in Australia4, and a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools; or
  • two years or more of full time equivalent postgraduate training in the specialty at a recognised tertiary academic institution or equivalent; evidence of research activity a pass in the New Zealand Oral Medicine Specialist Examination.


Prescribed Qualifications for Registration as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist

The following replaces the prescribed qualifications for the Scope of Practice for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialists, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 24 November 2016, Issue No. 108, Notice No. 2016-gs6517.

  • MDS/MBChB (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) University of Otago;
  • DClinDent (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) University of Otago5;
  • an ADC accredited MDS or MDSc or DClinDent programme in oral and maxillofacial surgery6, and a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools7;
  • a Dental Board of Australia approved programme of study providing a qualification for the purposes of specialist registration in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Australia 8, and a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools;
  • Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) 9;
  • registration in oral and maxillofacial surgery with the General Medical Council, United Kingdom;
  • board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery in a United States of America or Canadian state and possession of a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and dental degree; or
  • two years or more of full-time equivalent postgraduate training in the specialty at a recognised tertiary academic institution or equivalent, evidence of research activity and a pass in the New Zealand Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist Examination.

Dated this 11th day of July 2017.

MARIE WARNER, Chief Executive, Dental Council New Zealand.


1. Conferred from 2013.

2. WHO World Directory of Medical Schools replaced by Avicenna since August 2008; and the Faimer IMED Directory signed an agreement in March 2012 with WFME’s Avicenna Directory to collaborate in single directory – World Directory of Medical Schools.

3. Before 30 June 2010, and before 17 October 2010 for Western Australia.

4. From 1 July 2010 onwards, and 18 October 2010 onwards for Western Australia.

5. Entry criteria require completed undergraduate dentistry and medical degrees.

6. Before 30 June 2010, and before 17 October 2010 for Western Australia.

7. WHO World Directory of Medical Schools replaced by Avicenna since August 2008; and the Faimer IMED Directory signed an agreement in March 2012 with WFME’s Avicenna Directory to collaborate in single directory - World Directory of Medical Schools.

8. From 1 July 2010 onwards, and 18 October 2010 onwards for Western Australia.

9. Conferred from 15 March 2012.