Minister to amend scope of dental therapists

The Health Professions Council of South Africa's (HPCSA) professional board for dental therapy and oral hygiene has put together recommendations defining the scope of profession for dental therapists, which have been forwarded to the minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi for promulgation.

5 Apr 2016

Minister to amend scope of dental therapists

The redefining of the scope of profession comes as a result of legal action by the South African Dental Association (SADA), in which the court ruled that the 2012 regulations were invalid, but suspended this invalidity until 3 September 2016.

The court further ordered that the minister of health amend these regulations and publish the revised version by 3 September 2016. It is envisaged that the amended regulations relating to the scope of the profession of dental therapists will be promulgated soon.

The HPCSA urges dental therapists to carefully study the amended scope of profession to ensure they only perform procedures that they are trained to undertake, and, if necessary, update their qualifications through a HPCSA-recognised higher education institution.

Once further information is available it will be published on the board’s website.