Policy Statement 3.9 - Recency of Practice

1. Position Summary

Requirements for dental practitioners to provide evidence of competency to practise should be self-assessed using self-reflective practice. Any formal requirements for recency of practice should only be 
placed where there is clearly a risk to public safety.

2. Position

Requirements must address real risks
2.1. Where possible, dental practitioners should self-assess their individual competence for practice.
2.2. Dental Practitioners should be aware of the Board’s registration standard on recency of practice.
2.3. There should be unequivocal evidence that any measure being introduced as a requirement for 
recency of practice must be effective in protecting the public. 
2.4. The recency of practice requirements for renewal of registration should not be more onerous than 
the fitness to practise requirements for registration.
2.5. Each individual case should be assessed on its merits for requirements placed on recency of 
practice.
2.6. Only applicants for registration where there is clearly a risk to public safety should be subject to 
examination or conditions on registration.
2.7. Recency of practice assessment should include consideration of the following:

• • • • the nature, extent and period of practice;
      • any continuing professional development undertaken;
      • any research, study or teaching relating to dentistry;
      • administrative work relating to dentistry, including management, regulatory or policy
      • development roles, and
      • absences from practice
      • connection with the profession

2.8. Reasonable pathways should be provided for returning practitioners who are required to 
demonstrate competency.

3. Background

3.1. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) provides information, continuing professional 
development and other services to assist its members to meet professional standards.
3.2. The Board is responsible under the National Law for establishing registration standards on such 
matters as recency of practice
3.3. The National Law requires that applicants for registration must be suitably qualified and fit to 
practise. 
3.4. There are minimum requirements for all registered dental practitioners and applicants applying to 
be dental practitioners who have not practised recently as defined by the Board.
3.5. The practice of dentistry includes any role in which the individual uses their skills and knowledge 
as a dental practitioner such as clinical dentistry, clinical specialist practice, administration in the 
field of dentistry, study, teaching and research in the field of dentistry.
3.6. The Board expects practising dental practitioners to use self-reflective practice to understand their 
scope of practice and not to practise beyond the range of their training, qualifications, experience 
and competence.
3.7. Research undertaken and previous reviews of the Recency of Practice registration standards did 
not provide a definitive answer to the question of how much recent practice a health practitioner 
needs to maintain their skills and knowledge.

4. Definitions

4.1. BOARD is the Dental Board of Australia.
4.2. DENTAL PRACTITIONER is a person registered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation 
Agency via the Board to provide dental care.
4.3. NATIONAL LAW is the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Acts 2009 as in force in each 
state and territory.
4.4. RECENCY OF PRACTICE means that a practitioner has maintained an adequate connection with
and recent practise in dentistry since qualifying.
4.5. RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION is the process of re-registering a person already registered.

5. Last review

June 2025

6. Next review due

June 2030