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:
Current cost

$610 AUD (application)
$250 AUD (renewal)

Cost for applications received
after 30 June 2023

$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

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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:
Current cost

$1,350 AUD

Cost for examinations delivered
after 30 June 2023

$1,391 AUD
Validity: 3 years
2023
Period 1
Application period

1– 15 December 2022

Examination date

Thursday 16 March 2023
2023
Period 2
Application period

8 – 21 June 2023

Examination date

Friday 22 September 2023
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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:
Current cost

$3,150 AUD

Cost for examinations delivered
after 30 June 2023

$3,245 AUD
Validity: Does not expire
2023
Period 1
Application period

15 – 28 March 2023

Examination date

Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 June 2023
2023
Period 2
Application period

9 – 21 August 2023

Examination date

Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 November 2023
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