School Dental Nurse to Dental Therapist to Oral Health Therapist New Zealand dentists led the world with the concept of the School Dental Nurse when it was introduced over 100 years ago. Evolving science has demanded that the model of care should also evolve to respond to oral health need, especially in the science of prevention. Western countries around the world have replicated the New Zealand model, but it is now more readily recognised that the preventive model of care is needed across the life-span.
Evolving science has demanded that the model of care should also evolve to respond to oral health need, especially in the science of prevention.
Further informationHelen Tāne (Ngāti Porou) was a founding member of Te Ao Marama and has held academic leadership roles for the Bachelor of Oral Health, initially in Otago, then AUT and Charles Sturt University. Over these years, she gained post graduate qualifications in tertiary teaching and public health, completing a Masters' Degree and PhD. More recently, Helen was the professional leader for Auckland Regional Dental Services and was appointed to the Dental Council in 2023.
