1. Position Summary
Dentists practising non-dental, complementary or alternative therapies should not do so in their capacity as a dentist. These activities must be regulated by legislation (negative licensing) and require separate consent from patients and appropriate training
2. Policy
Dentists conducting business outside the scope of the practice of dentistry should not present these services as being provided in their capacity as a registered dentist, nor imply that their dental qualification entitles them to offer non-dental, complementary or alternative health services.
Dentists who provide non-dental, complementary or alternative health services or practise in association with other forms of service must ensure the safety of the public and meet all relevant legal obligations.
Non-dental, complementary or alternative health services provided at the same time as dental treatment, require separate consent.
Negative licensing legislation should apply to any person providing non-dental, complementary or alternative health services in association with dental practice.
3. Background
Non-dental, complementary or alternative health services are being provided in association with dental practice.
Negative licensing legislation has been introduced in some jurisdictions in Australia to govern individuals whose conduct is otherwise unregulated or where professional misconduct under health legislation is considered extreme.
Dental qualifications do not indicate ability to conduct activities outside the scope of the
practice of dentistry.
4. Definitions
AREAS OF PRACTICE ADJUNCTIVE TO DENTISTRY are parts of dental practice, which are usually not unique to dentistry, nor part of undergraduate dental education and training.
These could include acupuncture, conscious sedation for dental procedures, hypnosis, and some external cosmetic procedures.
NEGATIVE LICENSING is legislation detailing what is not acceptable in the operation or activities of an occupation and providing sanctions for unsatisfactory conduct.
NON-DENTAL, COMPLEMENTARY OR ALTERNATIVE HEALTH SERVICES refer to activities not governed by dental certification processes, including those adjunctive to dentistry. These may include activities such as providing local anaesthesia to assist non dental services; oral appliances for non-dental conditions; naturopathic, herbal and other natural therapies; laying on of hands, prayer and faith healing; massage therapies, tattooing, iridology, reflexology, homeopathy and chirodontics.
5. Last review
September 2025
6. Next review due
September 2030
This Policy Statement is linked to other Policy Statements:
3.2 Dentists
3.5 Areas of Practice Adjunctive to Dentistry
5.2 The Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary
5.8 Dental Acts, the National Law and Boards
