Dental Board of Australia - Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists
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Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists

There are three pathways for application for registration by overseas qualified dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists.

1. Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists who are registered to practise in New Zealand under Trans-Tasman mutual recognition

Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists registered to practise in New Zealand are eligible to apply for General Registration under Trans-Tasman mutual recognition.

This applies irrespective of where training was completed and qualifications held.

An application form is available in the Forms section.

2. Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists with recognised qualifications from UK, Republic of Ireland or New Zealand

The Dental Board of Australia considers qualifications listed below from institutions in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and New Zealand to be substantially equivalent to an approved qualification for General Registration as a dental hygienist, dental therapist or oral health therapist.

List of approved qualifications from overseas jurisdictions

Dental hygienists and/or dental therapists

United Kingdom
University of Cardiff
  • Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Diploma of Dental Hygiene* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
Eastman Dental Hospital
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Diploma in Dental Therapy (qualifications conferred from 2018 onwards) (inactive program)
  • BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy, Eastman Dental Hospital Education centre awarded by London South Bank University (2023 graduating cohort only)
  • BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene, Eastman Dental Hospital Education centre awarded by London South Bank University (2023 graduating cohort only)
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Therapy and Hygiene (awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of England) * (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
King’s College London
  • BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene* (qualifications conferred from 2023 onwards)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Bachelor of Science: Oral and Dental Health Sciences* (applies to dental hygienists and dental therapists) (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
Queen Mary University of London
  • Bachelor of Science Oral Health* (applies to dental hygienists and dental therapists) (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
Teesside University
  • Bachelor of Dental Science (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Birmingham
  • Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene and Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Bristol
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Central Lancashire
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Dundee
  • Bachelor of Science in Oral Health Sciences (Hygiene and Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Edinburgh
  • Bachelor of Science Oral Health Sciences* (applies to dental hygienists and dental therapists) (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Essex
  • Foundation Degree in Oral Health Science (Hygiene)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Bachelor of Science Oral Health Science (Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Bachelor of Science Oral Health Science (Hygiene and Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2013 onwards)
University of Leeds
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Dental Hygiene and Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Graduate Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards) (inactive program)
University of Liverpool Dental Hospital
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Combined Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Manchester
  • Bachelor of Science Oral Health Sciences (Hygiene and Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)

The School for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs), University Dental Hospital of Manchester

  • Diploma in Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred in 2011 only)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Plymouth
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Portsmouth
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Dental Hygiene BSc (Hons)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of Sheffield
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Bachelor in Oral Health Sciences (Hygiene and Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
  • Bachelor of Science in Oral Health Science (Hygiene and Therapy)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
Republic of Ireland
University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
National University of Ireland (University College Cork)
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)

Oral health therapists, dental hygienists and dental therapists

New Zealand
University of Otago
  • Bachelor of Oral Health* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)
 Auckland University of Technology
  • Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)* (qualifications conferred from 2010 onwards)

Practitioners who hold a qualification listed above may apply for General Registration as a dental hygienist, dental therapist and oral health therapist (as relevant).

An application form is available in the Forms section.

3. Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists with other qualifications

If a dental hygienist, dental therapist or oral health therapist holds other qualifications and is not registered in New Zealand then they can:

  • complete an approved qualification, or
  • complete the assessment process conducted by the Australian Dental Council (ADC).

Information about this pathway to registration in Australia for overseas qualified practitioners can be found on the
ADC’s website.

 
 
Page reviewed 3/09/2024
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