Panel hearing summary 2024.0927

Decision of the Dental Board of Australia

Performance and professional standards panel

Jurisdiction: Queensland
Date of Decision: 24 June 2025

Classification of Notification

Scope of practice

Summary

The Board referred allegations that the Practitioner had practiced outside of her scope of practice as a registered Oral Health Therapist by providing dental treatments that involved the placement of indirect restorations. Indirect restorations are commonly known as veneers and are usually made of porcelain or zirconia (both are types of fine ceramic material). The term ‘indirect’ means that the veneer is produced away from the tooth (in a laboratory by, or under the direction a registered dental prosthetist). The Board alleged that the Practitioner had provided dental veneers to 38 patients between July 2023 and April 2024.

The Panel conducted a hearing and found the allegations proven and that the Practitioner had behaved in a way that constitutes unsatisfactory professional performance and unprofessional conduct. The Panel expressed concern that the Practitioner was uncertain of the fact that the scope of practice of the Oral Health Therapist does not and cannot extend to veneers. The placement of indirect restorations more often than not requires the permanent alteration of permanent teeth and as such is considered by the Board to only fall within the scope of practice of a dentist.

The Practitioner was cautioned by the Panel and is required to undertake a period of mentoring with a Board approved mentor in order to be guided on understanding and assessing scope of practice, as well as meeting ethical obligations and professional responsibilities. The Practitioner is also required to submit to periodic audits of clinical records – this is to ensure that the Practitioner is not continuing to provide treatment with veneers.