Dental Council

The Ministry of Health - Manatu Hauora (the Ministry) is seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as health practitioner OR lay members of the Dental Council - Te Kaunihera Tiaki Niho (the Council). The Council is a Responsible Authority under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the HPCA Act). The purpose of the Council is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that oral health practitioners are fit and competent to practice.

About the role - Korero mo te turanga

Being a member of the Council is rewarding and challenging. You will be committed to improving the health of New Zealanders, through contribution to the governance of the Council's legislative requirements.

The functions of responsible authorities are set out under section 118 of the HPCA Act, and more information about the Council is available on their website. Further detail on the roles and responsibilities of members of the Council can be found in the Dental Council Terms and Conditions.

Appointments to the Council are made by the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello, typically for terms of three years. Members can be reappointed for up to nine consecutive years.

The Ministry recognises that diversity enables our boards and councils to be high-performing and is committed to ensuring they represent the diversity in New Zealand's population, including gender, ethnicity, disability, age, and geographic location. The Ministry encourages people from all backgrounds, especially those who can reflect the needs, values, and beliefs of Maori, and have an understanding of and are committed to meeting the obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, to apply for these roles.

About you - Korero mou

It is beneficial if you have the ability to lead strategically, and to balance competing demands. In this instance, we are particularly looking to receive applications from candidates that can represent the perspectives of Maori, Pacific people, and people with lived experience of a disability. Additionally, experience and knowledge of te ao Maori would be advantageous.

Preferred skills and attributes for health practitioner include:

• having strong governance experience
• familiarity with relevant legislation
• knowledge of the Council's work
• the ability to demonstrate knowledge and understand the treaty of Waitangi and its application in health care and regulatory settings,
• strategic and critical thinking skills
• understanding the purpose of health regulation
• 5+ years' experience as an oral health practitioner.

Health practitioner applicants must be a registered oral health practitioner with a current practicing certificate and have a good understanding of the Council's scope of practice, competencies, and Council's Standards Framework that encompasses both clinical standards and the standards for professional conduct.

Under section 5 of the HPCA Act, lay applicants cannot be qualified or registered as health practitioners. Preferred laypeople candidates will also have:

• governance or regulatory experience
• an understanding of the purpose of health regulation
• business experience including those related to finance, employment, and compliance matters
• good decision-making skills
• critical thinking skills
• the ability to represent community and consumer interests.

Members of a Responsible Authority cannot simultaneously be a member of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) given the disciplinary function of the Tribunal over health practitioners.

How to apply - Me pehea te tono

Applications must be made using the Ministry of Health online Career Centre by close of business Monday 25 May and include:

• a covering letter, and
• a current CV.

Due diligence checks will be undertaken for shortlisted applicants. Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. The Ministry of Health may also request that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service conduct national security screening of you as part of the appointment process.

The appointment process can be lengthy, taking up to 6 months. Your patience and professionalism as we work through the next steps is appreciated. The outcome of the recruitment process for the Board will be confirmed after it has been considered by the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee.

Who we are - Ko wai matou

See the Ministry of Health Board appointments webpage for more information.

If you would like to obtain further information or clarification, or if your circumstances change or should you wish to withdraw your application, please contact the Statutory Appointments team by emailing: ***email_hidden***