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Oral Health Therapy

Seize the opportunity of a lifetime as an Oral Health Therapist in Aotearoa, New Zealand!

Live the dream whilst making a difference somewhere different.

Register now

Oral Health
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Oral Health Therapists

Oral Health Therapists have the knowledge, skills and experience to educate and care for patients’ teeth and gums. Working in partnership with local communities to improve services and health outcomes.

We want our team of teams to reflect the diversity of the communities we're working to improve care for, including those that historically have been underserved by the health system.

Aotearoa, New Zealand offers a broad range of opportunities in a range of environments from fast paced metropolitan centres to community focused healthcare in urban, rural and remote settings. 

Oral Health Therapists are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List which means you are eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa and can apply for New Zealand residency before you arrive, provided you have a job offer from an accredited employer, like us!

Now is a great time to join us!

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Career and Lifestyle Match

Want to know more about our beautiful Districts? Or, are you ready to choose your preferred locations? We can do a lifestyle and career match for you!

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Apply for Registration

As an overseas qualified Oral Health Therapist, you will need to gain registration with the Dental Council of New Zealand and hold an Annual Practicing Certificate. 

Benefits and salary range

  • Oral health therapists with up to three years’ experience usually earn $35-45 an hour
  • Senior Oral Health Therapists earn $45-$60 an hour

Required Qualifications and experience

To work in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will require an appropriate registration and hold an Annual Practising Certificate:

  • You must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand and be eligible for general or provisional general registration with the Dental Council of New Zealand
  • Dental Council NZ Approved Training Programmes in New Zealand:
    • University of Otago Bachelor of Oral Health and a Dental Council New Zealand accredited Adult restorative programme
    • Auckland University of Technology Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health and a Dental Council New Zealand accredited Adult restorative programme
    • Graduate Certificate in Dental Therapy (Advanced Clinical Practice), University of Melbourne
Other helpful links  
Begin your career
  • Bachelor of Oral Health from Otago University
  • Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health from Auckland University of Technology. 

Internationally qualified candidates

  • Crown and Bridge/Prosthodontic Hygienist
  • Orthodontic Hygienist
  • Periodontal Hygienist
  • Community Dental Therapist
  • School Dental Therapist
  • School Dental Nurse


International accredited training programmes


Australia:

  • Dental Board of Australia-approved programmes that allow graduates registration in the Oral Health Therapist Scope of Practice in Australia. For those Australian programmes where the adult restorative treatment is not accredited as part of the undergraduate programme, a Dental Council New Zealand accredited programme is required to remove the Adult restorative treatment exclusion.
  • New Zealand Oral Health Therapist Registration Examination and a Dental Council New Zealand accredited Adult restorative programme.

Dental Council accredited Adult restorative programme

  • Graduate Certificate in Dental Therapy (Advanced Clinical Practice), University of Melbourne

Roles and responsibilities

  • Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and implementing the principles  

  • Engaging with local communities for better health outcomes

  • The practice of Oral Health Therapy is the provision of Oral Health assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment and preventive care for patients in accordance with this scope of practice and an Oral Health Therapist’s approved education, training, experience and competence

  • Oral health education, disease prevention and oral health promotion for individuals and communities are core activities, aimed at achieving and maintaining oral health as an integral part of general health

  • Extra-oral and intra-oral examination of the soft and hard tissues of the orofacial region, including intra-and-extra-oral radiographic imaging of adequate diagnostic quality and photographic imaging

  • Formulate an accurate diagnosis for dental caries and periodontal diseases or seek additional clinical opinion or refer as required

  • Oral Health education

  • Preventative care

  • Periodontal management

  • Direct restorations that are appropriate for the nature and extent of tooth tissue loss and in the best interests of the patient including placing stainless steel crowns on primary teeth

  • Oral disease management including dental caries, non-carious tooth tissue loss, tooth abnormalities and aesthetic problems

  • Dental extractions of deciduous teeth

  • Pulpotomy on primary teeth

  • Local anaesthesia appropriately to treatment

  • Orthodontics - Assist the dentist or dental specialist in implementing orthodontic treatment plans. 

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Explore Aotearoa

Whether you like the big city, the beach, the mountains, or all of the above - we have a broad range of places to call home.

Find out more information about what part of our beautiful country is the best fit for you.

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Te Tai Tokerau Northland

Population: 194,600
Northland is a beautiful and diverse region of Aotearoa, New Zealand with plenty to offer visitors. Whether you're interested in water sports, historic sites, natural beauty or ancient Kauri trees—Northland has it all!

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Waitematā

Population: 650,000
Waitematā is the largest and one of the most rapidly growing districts serving the largest population of all Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand's districts. Waitematā offers a balanced lifestyle that combines the convenience of city living with the natural beauty and community spirit of suburban life.

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Te Toka Tumai Auckland

Population: 500,000
Auckland the "City of Sails" is Aotearoa, New Zealand’s largest city and commercial hub. It’s where metropolitan sophistication meets breath taking natural beauty. Auckland is filled with a variety of warm and welcoming communities, packed with new places to explore.

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Counties Manukau

Population: 500,000
Te Whatu Ora - Counties Manukau serves as a major source of employment within the Counties Manukau area, with over 8,000 individuals being employed across the region.

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Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty

Population: 255,110
The Bay of Plenty is a place of beautiful harbours, long surf beaches and an easy-going lifestyle. We showcase the perfect place to explore a wide range of nature-based pursuits – this gives the people of the Bay of Plenty the chance for a better work-life balance. 

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Waikato

Population: 425,000
The Waikato region is known for its natural beauty, rich Māori culture, and agricultural heritage with something to offer visitors of all interests.

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Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Population: 48,000
In family-friendly Tairāwhiti you will experience an easier pace to life that allows you to pause and reflect, and enjoy a true work life balance. Gisborne’s relative isolation is its charm, surrounded by beaches & nature - don't worry though! Larger cities are only a quick flight away.

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Lakes

Population: 110,000
The Lakes District is well known for its geothermal activity and natural hot springs. The area is located in the central North Island and is home to many geothermal attractions, such as geysers, hot mud pools, and steam vents. Visitors can also relax in the region's natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. 

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Taranaki

Population: 130,000
Taranaki is a magical place with a majestic mountain at its heart, including the rugged coastline that's world-renowned for its surf. Its residents' love of art and culture, cafes and outdoor living mean it's also fantastic to work—and play!

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Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay

Population: 165,000
The Hawke's Bay region is home to many world-class wineries and vineyards, and is also famous for its beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, and art deco architecture. Additionally, Hawke's Bay is a popular destination for food and wine tourism, outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, and cultural events such as the annual Art Deco Weekend festival.

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Whanganui

Population: 65,000
Whanganui has something for everyone. Our centrally located region offers access to outdoor activities such as kayaking, skiing, surfing, tramping, cycling, fishing and hunting. Nestled between two snow-capped mountains, on the banks of Whanganui River there is always plenty to do and explore.

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Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Population: 445,000
Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand, is a bustling and diverse hub of culture and cosmopolitanism, renowned for its lively cafés, restaurants, and internationally acclaimed sporting and cultural events, all set against the stunning backdrop of a natural harbour. To the north of Wellington lie the regions of Porirua, Kapiti, and Hutt Valley.

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Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral

Population: 190,000
Get the best of both worlds - the perfect blend of rural and city living with the mountains, city and sea at your fingertips. 

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Wairarapa

Population: 48,000
Located in Masterton in the Wellington Region, Te Whatu Ora Wairarapa is one of the smaller hospitals in the country with 89 inpatient beds providing comprehensive health services throughout the Wairarapa District.

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Nelson Marlborough

Population: 150,000
Nelson Marlborough has been dubbed the artistic capital with a thriving urban centre and one of New Zealand's sunniest regions.

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Te Tai o Poutini West Coast

Population: 32,000
Te Tai o Poutini/West Coast has views of both the mountain ranges and the ocean! It is an untamed natural wilderness of beautiful rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.  

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Waitaha Canterbury

Population: 600,000
The Canterbury region is a great place to live and work due to its natural beauty, vibrant economy, cultural diversity, strong community, and high quality of life.

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South Canterbury

Population: 62,000
The South Canterbury district is an area of stunning beauty with great lifestyle opportunities, a safe and welcoming family-friendly environment, affordable living, excellent educational opportunities and a wide range of cultural and sporting facilities.

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Southern

Population: 350,000
Well known for its beautiful natural scenery, which includes towering mountains, stunning fjords, majestic glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. The region is also famous for its friendly communities, charming towns, and vibrant cities such as Dunedin and Invercargill. 

Our application process

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Step 1: Application

Complete & submit your application form for review

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Step 2: Review

Your application is reviewed by Kiwi Health Jobs

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Step 3: Referral

Your profile is referred to your chosen District & employers

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Step 4: Contact

You will be contacted by District recruitment teams

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Step 5: Handover

Your application moves through employers' hiring processes

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How Kiwi Health Jobs works for you!

When you submit an application, you will be redirected to Kiwi Health Jobs, our centralised recruitment portal. The Kiwi Health Jobs team are here to simplify the recruitment process by providing guidance, answering queries and connecting you to the right people in the Districts that you are most interested to work in.

Kiwi Health Jobs also advertises a wide range of vacancies across Health Sector, that includes vacancies at public, not-for-profit and private employers. 

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Connecting you to locations across NZ that match your lifestyle

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A choice of relocation packages to help you with the move

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Recruitment expertise to assess your career aspirations

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Our Candidate Kaitiaki (guides) ensure the best outcomes for you

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Settlement support when you arrive at your new home in New Zealand

Take the next step

Our dedicated team can offer guidance on visa options for you and your immediate family, discuss relocation packages and offer settlement support once you arrive. The team will ensure you are matched a location based on your experience and lifestyle preferences.

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new zealand lifestyle

Fulfilling career, amazing lifestyle

In Aotearoa New Zealand, we cultivate an environment that values teamwork and prioritises patient-centred care. We’re committed to supporting and developing our staff, and we offer a wide range of training and development opportunities.

new zealand lifestyle

Fulfilling career, amazing lifestyle

Have your pick of the Kiwi lifestyle to suit your interests! You could live in the bustling metropolis of our main centres, or relax into the easygoing vibe of coastal or rural communities.

We can make your move to New Zealand as easy as possible by providing a relocation support package, practical advice, and assistance with immigration and border requirements.

new zealand beach lifestyle

Discover Aotearoa - Your New Home!

New Zealand is packed with stunning beaches, untouched natural beauty, world-class dining, and hidden country gems, all in close proximity. There’s a little bit of everything on offer from modern cities to rural towns.

new zealand beach lifestyle

Discover Aotearoa - Your New Home!

There’s a little bit of everything on offer, from lively modern cities to rural towns that feel like a trip back in time.

Our services are offered from hospitals and clinical centres across the region, so there’s a lifestyle to suit everyone. Make the most of the diversity and amenities in our larger cities or take a break from the fast lane and settle into the friendly local communities.

If you’re tempted by sunny weather, a thriving arts and culture scene, breathtaking scenery and day trips galore, you’ll love it here.

Questions? We'd love to help!

For Oral Health Therapists, moving to Aotearoa New Zealand is a fantastic opportunity. If you have any queries concerning the process at any time, kindly send us a note.