Oral health therapy

This assessment considers the analysis of options to regulate the profession of oral health therapy under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act).

Oral health therapists are currently regulated under the Act under two separate scopes of practice, as dental hygienists and dental therapists. Dental hygienists and dental therapists are no longer trained as separate professions but as oral health therapists, with their own qualifications, training and vocation.

Recognising oral health therapy as a health profession under the Act will add clarity in regulating the profession in matters of competence, health and professional conduct.

Non-regulatory options were not considered in this impact statement.