The views of Oral Health professionals on postgraduate qualifications in Oral Health

Many Oral Health professionals in New Zealand have indicated that they wish to pursue further postgraduate studies in Oral Health and related areas. With an aging dentate population, there will be a demand for an extension of current skills in both dental therapy and dental hygiene. The purpose of this short survey is to seek the views and opinion of oral health professionals in New Zealand in relation to what postgraduate qualifications they would wish to achieve and how they would wish those postgraduate programmes to be delivered. The opinions expressed in this survey will ensure that postgraduate programmes in Oral Health at AUT will align with the needs of the profession. Thank you for taking the time to consider participating in this survey. Your participation is voluntary and you will not be identified. The results of this survey will not be published.

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* 1. Are you currently registered with DCNZ in?

Dental Hygiene

Dental Therapy

Registered in both scopes

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* 2. Are you interested in undertaking postgraduate studies in Oral Health?

Yes

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* 3. Which of the following postgraduate qualifications would appeal to you?

Academic qualification (e.g. diploma, Master’s degree or Doctorate in Oral Health)

An additional registerable scope of practice (e.g. Adult Scope Dental Therapy (registered scope to treat patients over 18 years), or Advanced skills in Dental Hygiene that permits you to work in this extended scope of practice)

A combination of the two (e.g. an additional registerable scope of practice, with an option to undertake further papers and achieve a diploma, Master’s degree etc.)

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* 4. If undertaking postgraduate study, would you prefer:

To be a full-time student at a university campus?

To be a part-time student at a university campus?

To undertake a flexible, distance learning programme, with occasional “study blocks” (4 day sessions, that could include weekends at the university campus)?