NSW Health Regulation 2025: infection control and record-keeping standards

The Health Practitioner Regulation (New South Wales) Regulation 2025 came into effect this week, with the legislative update notably strengthening infection control obligations and enhancing record-keeping standards for dental practitioners in New South Wales.

These measures are fully congruent with the patient safety goals endorsed by the Dental Board of Australia, AHPRA, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), and the ADA.

Key changes include:

• Formal inclusion of dental practitioners as “relevant health practitioners” now mandated to adhere to the prescribed infection control standards (including AS 5369:2023 for reprocessing RMDs) under Part 2 and Schedule 2 of the new regulation.
  
  
• Updated record-keeping requirements, setting minimum standards for documentation, retention periods, and secure storage—ensuring alignment with national professional guidelines and patient safety frameworks.

These enhancements reinforce the ADA’s longstanding advocacy for rigorous infection control and meticulous patient records—cornerstones of ethical, quality dental practice. The ADA advises all members to:

• Review and update their infection control protocols to meet or exceed the requirements of AS5369:2023, which is the cornerstone standard for reprocessing RMDs;
  
  
• Exercise caution regarding suppliers or educational content that undermines the Board’s and ADA’s evidence-based standards such as AS5369:2023;
  
  
• For dentists practicing in NSW, ensure clinical notes comply with the new documentation rules under this new regulation, particularly for long-term retention and accessibility.

The ADA supports the intent of the new regulation to elevate safety and consistency across dental services. We encourage all dentists, especially those practicing in NSW, to familiarise themselves with the legislation and affiliated guidance materials available via the NSW Government.

For further information about the regulatory changes, and how to align your practice policies, accordingly, please refer to reliable, evidence-based infection control guidelines and other practical resources available through the ADA website or contact the ADA Infection Control Committee through Peer or your ADA Branch.