Recency of Practice

The recency of practice registration standard applies to all dental applicants and all registered dental practitioners.

You will need to meet the Board’s requirements set out in the standard if you have not practised as a dental practitioner within the last five years and are:

• applying for registration in any division, speciality or endorsement
• renewing registration in any division, speciality or endorsement; or
• applying to change the type of registration:
  • from non-practising registration to general practising registration
  • from specialist registration to general registration; or
  • between divisions of the register.

The standard does not apply to you if you are a:

• student
• recent graduate¹
• dental practitioner renewing his/her non-practising registration

¹Recent graduate means a person applying for registration on the basis of a qualification for registration that was awarded not more than one year prior to the date of their application.

Yes. You should keep evidence of your recency of practice (e.g. detailed log book) for at least five years, in case you are selected as part of a random audit conducted periodically throughout the year. The audit requires that you provide further information to support your declarations regarding the standard when you apply to renew your registration. Further information on audit is available on the Board’s website.

Evidence may be requested if you are subject of a notification relating to your conduct or performance. 

You need to apply for registration and provide sufficient information for the Board to consider what is required for you to return to practise as a safe and competent dental practitioner.

Depending on the type of registration you apply for, you need to complete the relevant forms and provide the additional information listed in the forms. All registration application forms are available on the Board’s website.

Once you have completed the forms and gathered the additional information listed in the forms, you need to send your application package to your local AHPRA office.

No. You can apply for general registration in the division in which you have successfully completed the ADC examinations as the examinations count as recency of practice requirements.

1. How to apply for general registration as a dentist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist dental therapist, oral health therapist?
   
   You need to complete:
   • the application form for general registration as a dental practitioner (AGEN-20) (1.23 MB), and
   • the provision of additional information for recency of practice / return to practice form (AIRP-20) (1.94 MB PDF), and
   • the recency of practice/return to practice self assessment tool (for the relevant division)


2. How to apply for general registration as a dentist and specialist?
   
   You need to complete:
   • the application form for general registration as a dental practitioner (AGEN-20) (1.23 MB), and
   • the provision of additional information for recency of practice / return to practice form (AIRP-20) (1.94 MB PDF), and
   • the recency of practice/return to practice self assessment tool for dentist (245 KB)


3. How to apply for general registration as a dentist with conscious sedation endorsement?
   
   You need to complete:
   • the application form for general registration as a dental practitioner (AGEN-20) (1.23 MB), and
   • the provision of additional information for recency of practice / return to practice form (AIRP-20) (1.94 MB PDF), and
   • the application form for endorsement for conscious sedation (approved area of practice) for a registered dentist (AEAP-20) (651 KB), and
   • the recency of practice/return to practice self assessment tool for dentist (245 KB)


4. How to apply for general registration in a different division than the one(s) I was previously registered in?
   
   You need to complete:
   • the application form for general registration as a dental practitioner (AGEN-20) (1.23 MB), and
   • the provision of additional information for recency of practice / return to practice form (AIRP-20) (1.94 MB PDF), and
   • the application form to change or add division of registration (ACDR-20) (538 KB), and
   • the recency of practice/return to practice self assessment tool (for the relevant division)


5. I have been registered as non-practising for more than five years and wish to be registered as a practicing dental practitioner. What do I need to do?
   
   You need to complete:
   • the application form for general registration as a dental practitioner for current non-practising registrants (AGNP-20) (904 KB)
   • the provision of additional information for recency of practice / return to practice form (AIRP-20) (1.94 MB PDF), and
   • the recency of practice/return to practice self assessment tool (for the relevant division)

Once you send all relevant application forms and attachments to AHPRA, the assessment process will begin.

As part of the assessment process, a range of factors will be considered including:

• your registration and practice history
• the length of time you have not been practicing
• your qualifications leading to registration as a dental practitioner
• when you obtained your qualifications leading to registration as a dental practitioner
• your activities related to the practice of dentistry in the past five years
• your CPD history
• any qualifications you obtained during the period you were not practising, and
• the nature of the practice you are intending to return to.

The Board will consider each application on its merits. The Board protects the health and safety of the public by ensuring that only dental practitioners who are suitably trained and qualified to practise in a competent and ethical manner are registered.

Before making a decision with regard to your application, under the National Law the Board may:

1. ask an entity (e.g. another registration authority or an education provider) to:
   • give information about you; or
   • verify information or a document that relates to you
2. require you to give further information or document
3. require you to attend before the Board to answer any questions relating to your application; and
4. require you to undergo an examination or assessment to assess your ability to practise. 

Once your application and any additional information / documentation are assessed, the Board can decide to:

1. grant you general registration

You will then receive your certificate of registration within 30 days from the Board’s decision.

2. grant you general registration subject to condition(s); or

Before the final decision is made, you will receive a notice stating the reasons for this proposal and inviting you to make a submission to the Board about this proposal.

3. refuse to grant you general registration

Before the final decision is made, you will receive a notice stating the reasons for this proposal and inviting you to make a submission to the Board about this proposal.

The condition(s) on your registration may be one or a combination of the following:

1. supervised practice
2. mentoring arrangements
3. limited scope of practice
4. completion of professional development activities
5. completion of an approved program of study
6. completion of a return to practice / re-training program
7. completion of an assessment or examination

The above list of conditions is non-exhaustive. The condition(s) on registration is/are tailored to a dental practitioner’s particular circumstances, experience and individual learning needs.

Practice of dental care is procedural and requires specific skills and knowledge. If you have not practised for 10 years or more, you may be required to complete an approved program of study.