On this page
Key facts for dentists and oral health practitioners
- Regulator
- Dental Council
- Law
- HPCA Act 2003; HDC Act 1994 and the Code of Rights
- Standards
- Standards Framework: ethical principles, 28 professional standards, practice standards
- Who looks at it
- HDC first for conduct affecting a patient; Council professional advisor for competence
- Possible outcomes
- No action, competence review and programme, conditions, PCC, HPDT charge
- First step
- Speak to your indemnity insurer or professional association
Start here: the core remediation set for oral health practitioners
Core course 1Ethics
Ethics for Dental Professionals
The Dental Council's five ethical principles and 28 professional standards applied to fees, treatment planning, consent, cosmetic care and disclosure.
Core course 2Professionalism
Professional Standards for Dental Professionals
Scopes, supervision and delegation, plus the Dental Council's IPC, medical emergencies and sedation standards, complaints and notifications.
Which one do I need?
| Compare | Ethics for Dental Professionals | Professional Standards for Dental Professionals |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Values, reasoning and ethical dilemmas | Conduct, standards, scope, records and accountability |
| The question it answers | What is the right thing to do here, and why? | What do my standards require, and how do I show it? |
| Choose it when | A decision, a dilemma or your judgement is in question | Behaviour, systems, scope of practice or records are in question |
Not sure? Many concerns and most CPD plans need both: take them together for a complete picture.
The Dental Council regulates seven professional groups: dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral health therapists, clinical dental technicians and dental technicians. Whichever you are, the core set is the same eight courses.
Ethics for Dental Professionals deals with the ethical principles at the top of the Standards Framework: putting patients' interests first, respecting their autonomy, being fair and honest, and reasoning through the tension that private practice can create between a patient's needs and the cost of treatment. Professional Standards for Dental Professionals deals with the 28 professional standards and the practice standards that turn those principles into daily conduct: safe practice, communication, records, infection control and public trust. If a concern questions why you chose a treatment, the ethics course is central. If it questions how you carried it out or behaved, the professional standards course is.
Then add the six process courses: responding to a complaint, insight, reflection, remediation planning, preventing recurrence and rebuilding trust.
Core setComplete the set with these
Ethics and ethical conduct
Many dental complaints start with a patient who feels they did not understand what they agreed to: the treatment, the alternatives, the risks or the cost. Code of Rights Right 6 gives consumers the right to information about options including costs, and Right 7 the right to make an informed choice. The Council's practice standard on Informed consent (May 2018) applies these to dental care.
Other ethical concerns include care that did not respect a patient's culture (the Council has a practice standard on best practices when providing care to Māori patients, March 2021), treatment recommended for reasons other than the patient's benefit, and failure to explain when something went wrong.
RecommendedStart with these
Further relevantAdd if they fit the concern
Professionalism, conduct and attitude
The fifth group of professional standards (standards 23 to 28) is about maintaining public trust and confidence. Concerns here include unprofessional communication with patients or staff, conduct in the practice team, criticism of another practitioner's work in front of a patient, and online behaviour. Practice owners and principals may also face concerns about how they supervise and support others in the team.
The communication standards (13 to 18) often sit alongside: a patient who felt rushed or talked down to may complain about the treatment, but the real issue is the conversation.
RecommendedStart with these
Probity, honesty and financial integrity
Because much adult dental care in New Zealand is privately paid, money is closer to the surface than in many other professions. Probity concerns include treatment plans or quotes that changed without explanation, charging for work not done, pressure to accept higher-cost options, inaccurate records, and advertising that overstates results. The Council's Advertising practice standard (September 2020) sets out what practitioners may and may not claim when they promote their services.
Annual practising certificate declarations and your annual recertification declaration also need to be accurate. A false declaration is a far bigger problem than the gap it was trying to hide.
RecommendedStart with these
Further relevantAdd if they fit the concern
Professional boundaries: patients and colleagues
The Council's practice standard on Professional boundaries (October 2017) applies to all oral health practitioners. Dental care involves close physical proximity, sedation in some settings, and patients who may be anxious, which makes clarity about boundaries essential. Concerns include inappropriate comments or touching, personal relationships with patients, treating family and friends, social media contact, and boundaries with staff.
The Code of Rights protects patients from exploitation, defined to include any abuse of a position of trust. Where a patient is anxious or sedated, explicit consent, a clear explanation of each step and careful records protect both of you.
RecommendedStart with these
Clinical care, infection control and records
Clinical concerns in dentistry often involve treatment outcomes, missed pathology, prescribing of antibiotics or analgesics, sedation and medical emergencies, and infection prevention and control. The Council has practice standards on Infection prevention and control, Medical emergencies, Blood borne viruses (May 2022) and Sedation (2026), and the second group of professional standards (8 to 12) is about ensuring safe practice.
Records matter in every dental complaint, because they show the examination, the diagnosis, the options discussed and what the patient agreed to. The Patient records and privacy of health information practice standard (December 2020) sets the expectation. Health records must generally be kept for at least 10 years after the last service.
RecommendedStart with these
Notification, investigation and Tribunal process
The Dental Council says its competence reviews are supportive and educative, not about establishing fault or punishment. That is worth remembering if you have just received notice of one. Engage early, take advice and use the time to show you have identified and addressed any gaps.
If you are returning to practice after a competence programme, conditions or a break, add the return to practice and supervision courses. Our Dental Council complaint guide explains each stage.
RecommendedStart with these
Further relevantAdd if they fit the concern
Match the concern to a course
The concerns that most often lead to complaints and investigations, how they are viewed, and the courses that address each one.
Costs not explained before treatment
Code Right 6 includes information about costs; the Council's Informed consent standard expects patients to understand options and fees before agreeing.
Infection control lapse
Measured against the Infection prevention and control practice standard; treated as a safety and competence concern.
Misleading advertising
The Advertising practice standard sets the rules for promoting services; misleading claims can become a conduct issue.
Incomplete clinical records
The Patient records practice standard expects notes that show examination, diagnosis, options and consent.
Boundary concern with a patient
The Professional boundaries practice standard applies to all oral health practitioners; serious concerns can go to a PCC.
Practising outside scope
Where no patient was affected, the Council reviews it directly; working outside scope is a ground for discipline under the HPCA Act.
Treatment outcome complaint
Often treated as competence: a professional advisor makes initial inquiries before the Council decides on a review.
Sedation or medical emergency incident
Covered by the Sedation and Medical emergencies practice standards and the safe practice standards.
How the courses map to the 28 professional standards
The Council groups its 28 professional standards under five headings. Naming the group that a concern falls under helps you, your adviser and anyone reading your reflection see that the learning is targeted.
| Standards group | Standards | Most relevant courses |
|---|---|---|
| Put patients' interests first | 1 to 7 | Ethics for Dental Professionals, boundaries, cultural safety and equity |
| Ensure safe practice | 8 to 12 | Clinical competence, infection control, scope of practice, risk management |
| Communicate effectively | 13 to 18 | Communication, informed consent, open disclosure |
| Provide good care | 19 to 22 | Clinical competence, documentation, prescribing |
| Maintain public trust and confidence | 23 to 28 | Professional Standards for Dental Professionals, probity, financial integrity, social media |
Dental technicians and clinical dental technicians will find the safe practice, records and public trust groups most relevant; clinicians who examine and treat patients will usually need the communication and consent groups as well.
Who these courses suit in the oral health team
- General dentists and dental specialists, where concerns often involve consent, costs, treatment outcomes, records and sedation.
- Dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists, where scope of practice, working relationships with dentists, infection control and communication with children and whānau are common themes.
- Clinical dental technicians and dental technicians, where concerns may involve scope, records, quality of work and dealing directly with patients.
- Practice owners and principals, who may be asked about systems, supervision and team culture as well as their own care.
Who handles a concern about an oral health practitioner
Three routes depending on who was affected
The Dental Council sorts information it receives by whether a patient was affected. If a patient was affected and the concern is about conduct, the Council must refer it to the HDC first and cannot act on the conduct while the HDC is considering it. Competence or health concerns can be looked at by the Council at the same time. Where no patient was affected, for example practising outside scope, practising without a practising certificate or a criminal conviction, the Council reviews the matter itself.
The HDC
The HDC may take no action, refer the matter to its Director of Proceedings, who can lay a charge before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, or refer it back to the Council.
The competence route
When a competence notification is received under section 34 of the HPCA Act, the Council must inquire under section 36(1). A professional advisor makes the initial inquiries and the Council reviews the report. A competence review may follow.
The health route
For health concerns, the Council aims to support practitioners to keep working, with safeguards for patients and colleagues.
Professional Conduct Committee and the HPDT
Conduct concerns go to a PCC appointed by the Council. It decides whether to refer the matter to the Tribunal for a hearing.
Interim action and what stays the same
The Council cannot award compensation or costs and does not itself impose discipline. Where there is a risk of serious harm, it can restrict your scope of practice or suspend your registration on an interim basis during an investigation. In most matters you continue practising and keep up your recertification activities with your professional peer.
What the Dental Council and its committees are assessing
- Insight: do you understand the patient's experience and the standard involved?
- Remediation: what have you changed in consent conversations, records, infection control or clinical technique?
- Risk of repetition: are there new systems in the practice, such as checklists, audits or protocols?
- Candour: did you tell the patient when something went wrong?
- Records: do they show the examination, options, costs discussed and consent?
- Verifiable evidence: certificates, a reflection, audit results and feedback from your professional peer.
How a certificated course helps your response
Written reflection is already compulsory in the Dental Council's recertification programme, so oral health practitioners are used to it. A course certificate adds independent evidence that you studied the topic and passed an assessment. The reflective account helps you link the learning to the specific professional or practice standard involved, which is the language the Council and its advisors use.
Courses do not guarantee any outcome and do not replace a competence programme, conditions or Tribunal order unless the Council, the Tribunal or your supervisor accepts them.
Five steps for oral health practitioners
- Take advice. Your indemnity insurer is the first call; the New Zealand Dental Association and other professional bodies can help members, and a lawyer is advisable for a PCC.
- Choose by concern. Match each allegation to a concern group and the standard involved.
- Complete privately. Study between patients or after hours.
- Write the reflection. Name the professional or practice standard and describe the changes you have made.
- Provide it through your adviser. If they agree, include it with your response to the Council or HDC.
Insight, reflection and remediation for oral health practitioners
Dental Council recertification already asks for a professional development plan, professional development activities, written reflection and regular contact with a professional peer. Remediation uses those same tools but targets one concern. Insight is not a defined legal test, but it is what decision makers look for when deciding whether a problem is likely to recur.
Your professional peer can be an important source of evidence. Discussing what happened and what you have changed with them, and recording that conversation, can support your response.
Support during a complaint
- 1737 Need to talk?: free call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor (1737.org.nz).
- Your indemnity insurer and professional association for advice on the process.
- Your professional peer for confidential discussion of the clinical issues.
- Your GP if stress is affecting your health.
Start your dental remediation set
Begin with the ethics and professional standards courses for dental professionals, then add courses for your concern.
Questions
Which remediation courses suit a dentist after a Dental Council notification?
Begin with Ethics for Dental Professionals, Professional Standards for Dental Professionals, Responding to a Complaint and Insight. Add consent, documentation, infection control or financial integrity depending on the concern. Your indemnity insurer may suggest specific topics.
Are the courses suitable for dental hygienists and therapists?
Yes. The Standards Framework applies to all oral health practitioners the Dental Council registers, including hygienists, dental therapists, oral health therapists and dental technicians. The ethics and professional standards courses are written for the whole oral health team, and the scope of practice course is useful for concerns about working beyond your scope.
Can the Dental Council act while the HDC is looking at my case?
If the concern is about conduct that affected a patient, the Council must wait for the HDC. However, the Council can look at competence or health concerns at the same time. It can also take interim action, such as restricting your scope or suspending registration, where there is a risk of serious harm.
Does the Dental Council impose discipline itself?
No. The Council says it has no power to impose discipline or award compensation or costs. Discipline is for the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, after a charge by a Professional Conduct Committee or the HDC's Director of Proceedings. The Council can, however, order competence reviews, programmes and conditions.
What does a Dental Council professional advisor do?
When the Council receives a competence notification, a professional advisor completes initial inquiries and prepares a report. The Council then decides whether a competence review is needed. The advisor may ask for records or your comments, so respond promptly with your insurer's help.
Is a Dental Council competence review a punishment?
No. The Council describes the process as supportive and educative, not about establishing fault or punishment. It aims to identify whether your practice meets the standard and, if not, to put the right support or programme in place. Engaging openly usually helps.
Can my professional peer help with remediation?
Yes. Your professional peer in the recertification programme can discuss the concern with you, review your reflection and confirm the changes you have made. Their input can be valuable evidence. Make sure patient details are de-identified in anything you share.
A patient complained that I did not explain the cost of treatment. Which courses help?
Take the consent, financial integrity and communication courses. Code Right 6 includes information about costs, and the Council's Informed consent standard expects patients to understand their options, including fees, before agreeing. Your reflection should explain how you now discuss and document costs.
How do the dental ethics and professional standards courses differ?
Ethics for Dental Professionals covers the ethical principles: patients' interests, autonomy, fairness, honesty and reasoning about treatment choices. Professional Standards for Dental Professionals covers the 28 professional standards and the practice standards: safe practice, communication, records, infection control and public trust. Many concerns need both.
Can I use these courses for my Dental Council recertification?
The Dental Council's recertification programme does not set minimum hours and does not approve individual courses. Relevant learning can be included as a professional development activity if it fits your plan, and your written reflection can draw on it. We do not claim any approval.
Will the Council be told I have done a course?
Not by us. We do not contact the Dental Council, the HDC or anyone else. You decide whether to share your certificate and reflection, usually through your adviser.
What if a complaint is about a staff member I supervise?
The concern may be about their practice, your supervision, or both. If you are asked to respond, focus on how supervision was arranged and what you have changed. The supervision, teamwork and raising concerns courses can help practice owners and principals.
Are there courses on infection control for dental practices?
Yes. The infection prevention and control course covers principles that apply across health settings, and links to the Council's practice standard. Combine it with the risk management and incident reporting courses if a lapse has occurred, and reflect on the systems you have put in place.
Should a dentist apologise to a patient who has complained?
A sincere apology for what the patient experienced is generally encouraged and is part of HDC open disclosure guidance. It is different from an admission of fault. Talk to your insurer about wording, and take the open disclosure and rebuilding trust courses.
Can a dental technician be the subject of an HDC complaint?
Yes, where they provide services to a health consumer. Clinical dental technicians who work directly with patients, for example fitting dentures, are covered by the Code of Rights in the same way as other providers. Concerns can also reach the Dental Council directly. The core set, documentation and scope of practice courses are a good start.
How does sedation fit into a Dental Council concern?
The Council has a practice standard on sedation and one on medical emergencies. A concern involving sedation is likely to be examined against those standards and the safe practice standards. Take the risk management and incident reporting courses alongside the core set, and get advice early.
Official sources
Checked October 2026. Rules and processes change, so confirm the current position with the official source. This page is general information, not legal advice.
- Dental Council: Complaints and notifications
- Dental Council: Standards framework
- Dental Council: Recertification programme
- HDC: Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights
- HDC: Guidance on open disclosure policies
- HPCA Act 2003, s 100 grounds for discipline
- Privacy Commissioner: Retention of health information
- 1737 Need to talk?
How these courses are built
Official sources only
Every legal and regulatory point comes from primary sources: the HPCA Act 2003, the responsible authorities' standards and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. Anything we cannot confirm is left out.
Original, edition by edition
Lessons, scenarios and assessment questions are written by us for each edition separately, then checked for accuracy, teaching quality and fair assessment before publication.
Reviewed when rules change
When a code, standard or law changes, the affected courses are reviewed and updated. Reported errors in legal or regulatory facts are corrected first.