| What
minimum legal requirements are necessary to be able to work as a dental hygienist in Australia? |
- Require a work permit
(Visa).
- Must pass a Registration Examination for licensing
by the relevant licensing body.
- Must register with each state or territory Dental Board in which they wish to practice.
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| What
are the contact details for the official licensing body? |
- Each Australian
State/Territory has its own Dental Board responsible for licensing/registration.
- Please note that The Dental Hygienists’ Association of Australia Inc. does not control the registration of dental hygienists in Australia. This is done through the state and territory dental boards.
|
| What
special conditions may apply if I am accepted for employment? |
|
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| Who
do I contact for a work permit (if required)? |
|
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| Does
a job offer need to be placed before a work permit is issued? |
|
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| Is
it necessary to be fluent in the country's main language? |
|
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| Are
overseas qualified hygienists required to sit the country's National
registration examination? |
- Yes. In order to be able to register with the dental boards, all hygienists who have acquired their dental hygiene qualifications elsewhere than Australia (except for New Zealand*), must successfully complete the Overseas Trained Dental Hygiene Exam. The exam consists of both written and clinical components. Successful completion of this exam will allow you to register with any of the state and territory dental boards.The exam is open to dental hygienists only. It is a requirement that you have graduated from a recognised dental hygiene school, and are currently registered and practicing as a dental hygienist in your country.
* The Trans-Tasman Agreement offers mutual recognition for dental hygienists who have no restrictions on their practice and full registration in New Zealand.
-
Please contact TAFE SA for further information:
TAFE SA
Centre for Dental Studies
Gilles Plains Campus
Blacks Road
GILLES PLAINS SA 5086
Australia
ph: +61
8 82071146
fax: +61 8 82071113
web: Torrens
Valley Institute of TAFE (downloadable application form available also)
- This examination
is recognised by all Dental Boards.
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| Can anyone sit the Registration Examination? |
- No. The exam is open to dental hygienists only. It is a requirement that you have graduated from a recognised dental hygiene school, and are currently registered and practicing as a dental hygienist in your country.
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| How
are dental hygienists employed in Australia? |
- The majority
of dental hygienists are employed in private dental practices
(general or specialist) and are concentrated in Australia's major
capital cities. Currently, there are very few hygienists working
in country areas or the public sector.
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| What
are the standard duties likely to be permitted legally? |
- Dental health
education, oral hygiene instruction, dietary counselling, recording
of periodontal disease, radiography, impressions, study models,
fluoride therapy, fissure sealants, polishing restorations, overhang
removal, scaling and prophylaxis, root planing, rubber dam application,
removal of sutures, periodontal dressings, application of desensitising
agents and remineralising solutions, orthodontic procedures, chairside
assisting and clinical photography.
- Note that
varying State/Territory legislation applies to these duties. For
a comprehensive description of permissible duties, please contact
the relevant State or Territory Dental Board.
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| Where
can I get more information? |
Ms Sarah
Evans
Australian Personnel Placement Services
136 Jeffcott Street
NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006
AUSTRALIA
ph: +61
8 82675333
fax: +61 8 8267 5377
e-mail: Sarah Evans
web: Australian
Personnel Placement Services
- General Information:
DHAA
Inc.
PO Box 10030
Gouger Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
AUSTRALIA
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