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Certificate in Dental Assisting

Course Outline

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) recognises the important role dental assistants play in the successful day to day running of the dental practice. We are proud to offer the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course to dental assistants working alongside our NZDA members, who wish to further their knowledge and develop their skills within this profession. Annually 150 – 200 students throughout New Zealand graduate with our certificate.

The NZDA course has been structured over one academic year commencing in February and concluding in November. It is a modular, online course which includes a combination of self-directed learning activities, online assessments and practical workplace experience.

Students completing this course will gain formal recognition from NZDA in having developed the skills to work competently and safely assisting a dentist, oral health therapist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist during oral health care procedures.

The 2026 course has been transformed to better reflect the needs of modern dental practices. With updated content and an improved learner experience, it will continue to support dental assistants to build core knowledge and practical understanding—strengthening confidence, consistency, and capability in practice. All previous course completions remain valid and continue to be recognised.

Note: As of 2022 the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course is no longer NZQA accredited.

Enrolment

Enrolments for the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting are open from October to early December, for course commencement in February the following year.

To qualify for enrolment in the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting, students must be permanent residents of New Zealand and be employed as a dental assistant by an NZDA member for a minimum of 20 hours per week at the time of enrolment and for the duration of the course year.

All students require a supervising dentist, who is ultimately responsible for their progression on the course and is able to conduct their practical workplace assessments. Supervising dentists must be NZDA members who are willing and able to support their dental assistant throughout the course.

Students must have use of a computer or mobile device with internet access.

Course Structure

The NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting is delivered through NZDA’s online learning platform. Students enrolled on the course will receive a username and password to access the course content and assessment material.

The course is comprised of the Foundation Pathway and the Dental Assistant Pathway.

Students work through their online theory concurrently with an interactive workbook and completion of workplace assessments in accordance with a schedule. The course is designed to provide students with competency-based learning utilising practical evaluations as well as knowledge check assessments embedded in the eLearning, workbooks, and final assessment module on the following topics:

Foundation Pathway

Introduction to Dentistry in New Zealand
Dental Council Standards and Policies
Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Foundations for Equity
Mātauranga Māori: Foundations for Practice
Communication Essentials
Communicating with Empathy
Communication and Diversity

Dental Assistant Pathway

Infection Prevention and Control
Reprocessing of Reusable Items
Setting Up and Closing Down a Surgery
Introduction to Assisting Dental Procedures
Assisting in Dental Procedures
General Dental Procedures
Oral Rehabilitation
Anatomy and General Health
Oral Health Disorders
Dental Radiography
Dental Administration
Patient Management Systems
Health and Safety
Medical Emergencies
Preventive Management

Course Completion

To successfully complete the course students must complete all eLearning, workbooks and assessments within the prescribed timeframe.

As the course is competency-based, students must achieve 100% in assessment tasks and will receive further opportunities to achieve this, if unsuccessful in their first attempt. Each ‘re-assessment’ will only require students to re-answer questions that have been marked incorrect in their previous attempts.

At the completion of the course year, all students must provide evidence that they have obtained life support skills equivalent to New Zealand Resuscitation Council CORE Immediate - Adult and Child, which is to have been completed no more than two years prior to the end date of the course.

Course Support

The NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course is coordinated by the NZDA Vocational Training Team, based at NZDA House in Ellerslie, Auckland.

1. When can I enrol for the course?

Enrolments will be open from October to December, for course commencement the following February.

2. When does the course start?

Course information will be sent out to students prior to the course starting in February.

3. How long does the course go for?

The course runs for nine full months with completion in early November.

4. Do I have to be working in order to enrol/complete this course?

Yes, you must be working for an NZDA member a minimum of 20 hours per week at the time of enrolment and for the duration of the course.

5. Can I complete the course if I am on a work visa?

No, you must be a permanent resident of New Zealand in order to enrol/complete this course.

6. Can I work for any dentist?

No, you must be working for an NZDA member. Please check this before sending in your enrolment forms.

8. Do I need to have access to a computer and internet?

Yes, as much of your course reading and activities will need to be completed online, an easily accessible, reliable computer or mobile device and internet is a must.

9. Do I need to complete the necessary resuscitation certificate before enrolment/starting the course?

No, your CORE Immediate Resuscitation Certificate needs to be completed before the end of the course. This can be done at any stage throughout the course year.

10. What will I gain from completing the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting?

The NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting is formally recognised by the NZDA and its members as having developed the skills to work competently and safely assisting a dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist during oral health care procedures.

Note: As of 2022 the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course is no longer NZQA accredited.

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Course provider terms and conditions

As of October 2021, the Dental Council recertification programme requires oral health professionals to develop a Professional Development Plan (PDP) and attend activities that contribute toward this (PDAs).

By registering to become a course provider with the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA), you should be familiar with this document and the requirements outlined within the Dental Council Recertification Handbook.

By applying to become a course provider you confirm that you have read, understood and will adhere to the following terms and conditions;

Course criteria will be met and detailed within all applications submitted for NZDA approval noting:

The content of the course must reflect accepted practice based on critical appraisal of scientific literature. Presentations of theories and techniques that are not supported by scientific evidence nor generally accepted by the dental professions may not be recognised.
- The course provider should have sufficient educational expertise to develop and run the course. The status and impartiality of the providing organisation will be a consideration. Promotion of a particular product line by a commercial organisation may not be recognised.
- The course must demonstrate continuing quality improvement processes. The use of post-activity evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the activity is encouraged.
Applications for approval will be submitted to NZDA well in advance of the course commencement. Applications may take up to 10 working days to be processed by NZDA.
If approved, the attendance register provided to you by NZDA will be returned to NZDA in a timely manner with all participants names and signatures.
The six digit attendance code provided to you by NZDA will be given out to participants after completion of your course and will only be given to those that have attended and signed the attendance register.
Any advertising or promotional materials produced in relation to an approved course will contain the NZDA disclaimer statement;* This activity has been registered with NZDA for online recording of Professional Development Activities (PDAs). NZDA does not imply promotion or endorsement of the contents of any course or activity. Attendees need to use professional judgment to assess the validity and usefulness of techniques, materials or therapeutic products to their own practice.
Changes to course provider details will be advised to NZDA as they occur. Mainly referring to the change of any person responsible for submitting course applications for approval.

Should it become apparent to NZDA that the above terms and conditions are not being adhered to your course provider status will be reviewed, which may result in termination of your course provider access.

NZ Dental Research Foundation

The Trustees of the Research Foundation Board are very grateful for the continuing support from NZDA members for dental research in New Zealand.

“Established in May 1964, the New Zealand Dental Research Foundation awards grants for research projects related to dentistry. Its overall purpose is to “promote, foster and extend the study and practice of the art and science of dentistry in New Zealand”.

Donations from NZDA members provide a major contribution toward enabling dental research projects to be undertaken. Your generosity is much appreciated.

Dr Robert Max, ChairmanNZ Dental Association Research Foundation Trustees

Dental education trust

The Continuing Dental Education Trust (Auckland) was formerly known as the Dental Advisory Committee of the Postgraduate Medical Committee in the University of Auckland - the 'DAC'.

This award is intended to support New Zealand based dental research which has clinically applicable outcomes. The award may be used to fund all or part (grant-in-aid) of a research project.

NZDA SEARCH RESULTS

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