Specialist competencies

The Board in partnership with the Dental Council (New Zealand) (the Council) have developed Entry-level competencies for dental specialties.

These competencies describe the level of competence expected of applicants for registration with the Board and the Council.

The Board has published a consultation report (see below) to provide a summary of the consultation process undertaken to develop these competencies. This report:

• identifies key themes from the submissions received 
• provides a brief summary of responses to each of the questions posed in the consultation paper 
• gives a summary of changes in the final approved version, and 
• sets out the proposed next steps.

While the competencies have been developed with the Council, there are two Australian specialties not recognized in New Zealand: dento-maxillofacial radiology and forensic odontology.

How are the competencies being used in Australia?

The competencies are used to support a number of regulatory functions by the Board. These functions include accreditation, registration and notification.

1. Accreditation
   
   The competencies are used to determine if approved specialist programs of study in Australia:

• are at the expected qualification level, and
• produce graduates at the expected level of competence for specialist registration.

2. Registration
   
   The competencies are used to assess overseas qualified applicants for specialist registration by:

• assessing qualifications for equivalence to a specialist qualification approved by the Board, and 
• developing assessments or examinations.
  
  The competencies are also used to assess applications from dental specialists wishing to return to practice and who do not meet the Board’s recency of practice requirements. 

3. Notification
   
   The competencies can also be used as part of the management of a notification against a registered dental specialist.