Becoming a dental therapist with the Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS)
Dental therapists with ARDS provide oral health assessment, treatment, management and prevention services for children up to the age of 18 years in partnership with individuals, whanau and communities. Disease prevention, oral health promotion and maintenance are core activities. ARDS dental therapists work with the school dental service or on the pre-school programme.
School dental service
Dental Therapists typically work within a team under the direction of a clinical team leader. They are supported by dental assistants. The service extends throughout the Auckland region from Wellsford to Onewhero, including Rodney and Franklin, North Shore, Waitakere, Manukau, Papakura, and Auckland City including Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island.
Pre-school programme
Dental therapists focus on enrolling preschoolers early so that dental health education can be provided to whanau, parents and families. Dental therapists work with other providers in the "Lift the Lip" and B4 School Check programmes. Preschoolers who are at risk are identified so that early enrolment, early intervention and dental health education can result in good oral health.
Registration requirements
ARDS dental therapists are registered with the New Zealand Dental Council (NZDC) and comply with an approved code of practice. They may provide the following treatments:
- Examination, diagnosis, fissure sealants, dental radiographs
- Fluoride treatment, sealed restorations
- Fillings, and extraction of baby teeth
- Pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns
- Health education.
To maintain their professional registration dental therapists must present evidence of their practice through a portfolio that meets NZDC requirements. The portfolio should include evidence of continuous professional development (CPD).
New graduates from New Zealand are required to practice a minimum of 150 hours on graduation or 450 hours if from another country under the guidance of a mentor. (There is no minimum practice hour requirement per year after these hours have been completed).
There are three aspects to meeting the annual practice requirements:
- Maintaining a portfolio
- Professional development, minimum of 30 hours verifiable
- Meeting the NZDC competencies for your scope of practice.
Benefits of working for ARDS
As the largest dental service in New Zealand, ARDS provide dental care to 285,000 children through 169 dental clinics and a fleet of dental vans.
ARDS can offer:
- Clinical placement in dental clinics so you are able to work with a variety of patients
- Clinical mentoring and support with a Clinical Team Leader, and a mentor
- Access to the Professional Advisor for advice on professional issues
- Access to the Training Coordinator to reinforce learning opportunities
- Career structure that provides a variety of dental therapist roles
- Reimbursement of your membership fees for NZDTA
- Reimbursement of your Annual Practising Certificate
- Support for post-graduate studies in second year
- Training in additional scopes, pulpotomy, and stainless steel crowns
- Peer group activities.
In addition you will be able to enjoy living in the 4th Best City in the World (Mercer’s Worldwide Quality of Living Survey) where recreational attractions are within easy reach, be it sailing, kayaking, tramping, bush walks, scenic parks, bungy jumping, snowboarding, cafes, shopping, theatres or art galleries.
Application for employment
To express your interest in becoming a dental therapist with ARDS, visit the Auckland Health Jobs website.