The first thing dentists wishing to work here in New Zealand should do is to establish contact with the Dental Council of New Zealand. The postal address for this is:

Dental Council of New Zealand
PO Box 10448
Wellington 1
NEW ZEALAND

This is the registration authority and you should write giving details of your graduating qualification and university and ask for the appropriate application forms for registration in New Zealand. Currently United Kingdom and Australian graduates are able to gain registration on application. Dentists from all other countries are required to take overseas dentist registration examinations. For immigration purposes you must contact the New Zealand Embassy or Consulate in your country and make arrangements through them before coming to New Zealand to work.

A further factor which needs to be understood is that dentists who have entered the overseas dentists examinations cannot do any work as a dentist in New Zealand until they have passed the examination and are properly registered. Some dentist assume that they may be able to obtain work as a chairside assistant, dental therapist, or as a dental hygienist - but in fact this is proving more difficult, particularly if the overseas dentist has limited English.

There are limited general practice positions available in New Zealand as locums and assistants. However, these are less available now than in the past with an increasing number of New Zealand dentist choosing to remain here and more and more overseas dentists qualifying to practices.

There are virtually no positions available in Hospital or State funded dentistry in New Zealand. This is a very limited service now and apart from senior hospital dental appointments any work then to go to first and second year graduates. It may be possible to enter the undergraduate course, but fees are currently very high - being close to NZD$22,000.00 for a year's tuition.

I hope this helps.

Lawrence J Croxson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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