Southland Dental Therapist Achieves a NZ First

Monday 23 July 2007 “Quality and Humanity in Health”

Southland Dental Therapist Achieves a New Zealand First

Janelle Larby, a Southland Hospital dental therapist, has achieved a New Zealand first for the dental therapy profession by being granted an extended scope of practice by the Dental Council of New Zealand that enables her to treat adult patients.

Miss Larby, who is also the professional advisor for dental therapy for Southland District Health Board (SDHB), is New Zealand’s first dental therapist to be granted the extended scope of practice that will see her treat adult patients in addition to dental therapists’ current scope of treating children and adolescents.

The accomplishment marks a major milestone for NZ dental therapists which is believed will help improve access for adults requiring dental treatment, particularly in provincial centres that are experiencing a shortage of dentists.

Dr Tim Mackay, SDHB’s Oral Health Clinical Director, said that Miss Larby’s extended scope of practice signalled an exciting opportunity for the future of dentistry.

“This is fantastic news for Janelle and dental therapists nationwide. Through an extended scope of practice it is envisaged that therapists will complement the provision of publicly funded dental services for adult patients.” Dr Mackay said.

“Advantages to patients will be that they may be able to get their treatment completed sooner and at a reduced cost” says Dr Mackay.

Miss Larby’s accomplishment was gained after taking part in a research project conducted by the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital. The project analysed the suitability of dental therapists to treat adult patients and consisted of working alongside both supervising and assessing dentists as well as attending lectures on the treatment of the adult patient group given by specialists.

On her return Miss Larby submitted an application to the Dental Council of New Zealand to gain recognition in Adult Scope of Practice and this was approved – marking a major milestone for her profession.

Karen Boyce-Bacon, President of the New Zealand Dental Therapists’ Association (Miss Larby’s national professional body), said they were very proud that Janelle Larby had gained the Adult Scope of Practice at a time when this seemed unachievable.

“The Association is very keen to see this Adult Scope become available in NZ and with Janelle’s great achievement it makes us hopeful that it may be a possibility in the future,” Ms Boyce-Bacon said.

Miss Larby said that she was excited about the opportunities her extended scope of practice presented.

“I am also grateful for the support I have had from SDHB who have taken a positive attitude towards professional development of their staff,” Miss Larby said.

ENDS

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