In this edition 

Message from the President

Welcome to our December newsletter

Like you, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic attack that occurred in Bondi over the weekend.  I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this senseless act. 

Many more have been impacted by this shocking act and this may include colleagues who are reading this newsletter.  My thoughts are with you at this very sad time.

Please note that there are many support networks out there for you, including the Dental Practitioner Support resource. This is a nationwide health and wellbeing support service funded by the Dental Board of Australia and is the first national 24/7 telephone and online service for dental practitioners. More information and useful links to this valuable resource are below.

It is important for you to reach out, should you require additional support at this time. This is a time for us all to come together and to support each other.  Please take care of each other.

Every year is busy for the Council, and this year has been no exception. We have recently been focusing on issues you may have seen in the media, including infection control and the release of superannuation for dental work. We touch on both issues later in this newsletter, and I encourage you to become familiar with the requirements and how they may affect your practice.

Expressions of interest
The Council is seeking to expand its group of experienced registered dental practitioners, who assist with its regulatory responsibilities. I encourage you to consider applying for this role. We need practitioners from all divisions of dentistry. Details on how to submit an expression of interest are outlined in this issue. You can learn more about the work of the Council, the other health professional councils, and the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) in the joint Annual Report for 2024–25, later in this issue.

I want to thank all those who have contributed to the regulatory work of the Council during the year. This includes my fellow Council members, professional officers, authorised persons, hearing/panel members, assessors, and the assessment committee members. I’d also like to thank the HPCA staff, particularly, Executive Officer Colin Borg and the Dental Council team. The Council could not fulfil its mandate of public protection without the involvement of all these dedicated people.

I hope you get the chance to take a break from the demands of work and spend some time with family and friends while you enjoy the holiday season.

Kind regards
Deb
Adjunct Professor Deborah Cockrell AM
President, Dental Council of NSW 

New guidance – compassionate release of superannuation

The Council has highlighted the issue of practitioner obligations around compassionate release of superannuation in recent editions of our newsletter.

Now, Ahpra and the Dental and Medical Boards of Australia have released new guidance for dentists and doctors to raise awareness of best practice. This follows ongoing concerns of inappropriate conduct when certifying conditions for compassionate release of superannuation.

The Chair of the Dental Board of Australia and the Australian Taxation Office Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation and Employer Obligations, recorded a podcast earlier this year on this important topic.

We encourage you to review these resources to ensure you have all the latest information on how to meet your professional obligations to patients.

Annual Report 2024–25

The Joint Health Professional Councils’ Annual Report 2024–25, which includes information on the Dental Council’s activities during the period, is now available on the Council’s website.

Key facts on dental complaints:

• 483 complaints were received 
• 68% were from patients
• 61% were about clinical care
• 369 were closed during the year
• 92% of closed complaints resulted in no regulatory action being taken.

Infection control – 
mandatory legislative requirements in NSW

New legislation on infection control came into effect on 1 September 2025. This means that under the Health Practitioner Regulation (NSW) Regulation 2025, obligations for NSW dental practitioners that were formerly considered professional guidance are now mandatory legislative requirements.  

These include compliance with the infection control standards outlined in Schedule 2 of the Regulation, with penalties for non-compliance. This shift is significant as it elevates expectations from best practice to enforceable standards.

Things to know:

• the Schedule 2 infection control requirements now apply to all registered health practitioners (except psychologists)
• the requirements for hand and skin cleaning are more prescriptive (see Schedule 2 clause 4)
• mask-wearing requirements now apply to contact with all patients known to be suffering from airborne diseases, rather than tuberculosis patients only
• new clauses in Schedule 2 require single-use equipment to be discarded after use (clause 12) and reusable equipment to be sterilised or cleaned after use (clause 13)
• updated requirements for cleaning instruments set out in clauses 15 to 17 of Schedule 2 now refer to the current Australian Standard: AS 5369:2023, Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities

NSW radiation licensing changes

The Protection from Harmful Radiation Regulation 2025 introduces updated licensing requirements and began on 29 August 2025. The new regulation includes specific exemptions for dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists, dental students and dental assistants.

From 1 December 2025, registered dental practitioners will no longer require a user licence for the use of orthopantomogram (OPG) and lateral cephalometric x-ray apparatus, provided they comply with the ARPANSA Dental Code and other specified obligations.

A licence is still required for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) apparatus. Please review this regulation to understand your responsibilities.

Call for expressions of interest: dental practitioner hearing/panel members

The Dental Council of NSW is currently inviting dental practitioners who hold general/specialist registration to express their interest in becoming hearing/panel members. As a hearing/panel member, you will play a pivotal role in regulating the dental profession by:

• assisting the Council in its regulatory activities
• providing professional advice and expertise
• collaboratively participating in panels and hearings.

Hearing/panel members do not sit on the Council. Rather, they are contacted on an ad hoc basis to assist the Council to make recommendations and decisions regarding complaints about registered dental practitioners and students who are registered and practising in NSW.

Further information and application form are available available here. Applications close on 30 January 2026.

Council education and research grants

Do you have an interest in improving health practitioner regulation through research or education? Applying for a Council education and research grant could help fund your project. Our grants fund up to $20,000 per application and have a maximum duration of 2 years. We also encourage applications for smaller grants of shorter duration.

What types of projects are funded?

The Council will consider applications that relate to its regulatory work i.e. dental practitioner/student conduct, performance and health. Example projects include educational program enhancements that lead to registration, identifying risk factors associated with complaints, and assessing outcomes relating to health, performance or conduct pathways. Another example is developing and evaluating continuing professional development courses or training which supports the Council’s regulatory activities.

Applications open on 1 February each year and close on 1 May. Visit our website to view the detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Health and wellbeing support for dental practitioners

Maintaining our own health and wellbeing is important. Personal and/or professional circumstances may mean we need some extra support at certain times in our lives. This can include when a complaint has been made about you, which can be a very stressful time. 

The Dental Board of Australia has funded a nationwide health and wellbeing support service – Dental Practitioner Support. This is the first national 24/7 telephone and online service for dental practitioners. It also offers support to dental students, educators, employers, Australian Dental Council exam candidates and concerned family members.

An experienced team of counsellors provides confidential and immediate support, advice and referral on a wide range of health and wellbeing related issues. The service runs independently of the Board and anyone calling does not have to give their name.

If you are experiencing difficulties, the Council strongly encourages you to access this free and anonymous service.

Access Dental Practitioner Support:
•    1800 377 700
•    dpsupport.org.au

Tell us what you think

The Dental Council of NSW is looking to provide you with shorter, more regular updates about topics relevant to the profession.

Please email us if you have a comment or suggestion about this update.

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