Dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists - The Australian Dental Council

Dental hygiene, dental therapy, and oral health therapy assessments

The assessment process is for overseas qualified dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists with qualifications that do not meet the requirements for registration with the Dental Board of Australia. It is designed to assess your knowledge, judgement, clinical skills, and professional competence.

The process involves three stages:

1. Initial assessment

An assessment of your eligibility to complete the dental practitioner assessment process.

Eligibility:
Dental hygienist or dental therapist:

Minimum 2-year equivalent full-time study and have held full and unrestricted registration/licence

Combined dental hygienist/therapist or oral health therapist:

Minimum 3-year equivalent full-time qualification and have held full and unrestricted registration/licence

Timeframe: 8 weeks (approximately)*
Cost:

$628 AUD (application)
$258 AUD (renewal)

Validity: 7 years
Application period: Apply at anytime
Assessment timeframe: 8 weeks (approximately)*

*Timeframes can be delayed if information submitted is incomplete

2. Written examination

A one-day examination testing your application of knowledge to clinical practice.

Eligibility: Successful, valid initial assessment
Timeframe: 5 months from application period to results release (approximately)
Cost:

$1,391 AUD

Validity: 3 years
2024
Period 1
Application period

29 November – 12 December 2023

Examination date

Friday 22 March 2024

2024
Period 2
Application period

5 – 18 June 2024

Examination date

Friday 20 September 2024

3. Practical examination

Depending on profession a one or two day simulation-based examination assessing your practical clinical skills.

Eligibility: Successful, valid written examination.
Timeframe: 4 to 7 months from application period to results release (approximately)
Cost:

$3,245 AUD

Validity: Does not expire
2024
Period 1
Application period

05 – 19 March 2024

Examination date

Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 June 2024

2024
Period 2
Application period

6 – 20 August 2024

Examination date

Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 November 2024