Kōrero: Dental care

Oral Health education, 2006

Oral Health education, 2006

Heidi Nilsson, shown here at work, has just finished the first year of a new degree which combined dental therapy and dental hygiene. Those graduating with a degree in Oral Health could register and practise as dental therapists, dental hygienists or both, and work in public and private practice. Dental hygienists emerged as a new form of dental professional in New Zealand in the 1990s. Hygienists focus on oral health and decay prevention, and are specialists in cleaning teeth, removing plaque (a source of dental decay) and treating gum disease. From 2017 graduates with Oral Heath degrees register in their own oral health therapy scope of practice and are now known as oral health therapists. In the early 21st century a visit to the dentist may be combined with an appointment with a dental hygienist or oral health therapist, who offers their services within an established dental practice.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

New Zealand Herald
Reference: 271106AKLBAM_1.JPG
Photograph by Bradley Ambrose

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Andrew Schmidt and Susan Moffat, 'Dental care - The future of dental care', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/30607/oral-health-education-2006 (accessed 30 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Andrew Schmidt and Susan Moffat, i tāngia i te 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 6 Nov 2018