Updated on: 24 September 2026
An oral health therapist (OHT) is a registered oral health professional trained in both dental therapy and dental hygiene. In New Zealand, oral health therapists are registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand. They practise within a scope of practice set by the Council, covering preventive care, professional cleans, gum treatment, fillings and oral health education. At Bell Hill Dental in Dunedin, our oral health therapists work alongside our dentists as part of one clinical team.
What Does 'Scope of Practice' Mean?
A scope of practice is the set of services a registered health practitioner is permitted to provide. In New Zealand, the Dental Council publishes the scope for oral health therapy. It covers assessment, diagnosis, treatment and preventive care, delivered in line with each therapist's education, training and competence. Oral health education and health promotion for individuals and communities are also core parts of the role.
Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene: Two Roles in One
Oral health therapists combine the skills of two professions:
- Dental therapy: examinations, fillings and oral health education for children and adolescents
- Dental hygiene: professional cleans, gum disease treatment and guidance on caring for your teeth at home
Some oral health therapists have also completed additional accredited training that allows them to provide restorative care, such as fillings, for adults.
What Can an Oral Health Therapist Do?
Preventive Care for All Ages
An oral health therapist provides preventive treatment for patients of all ages via professional teeth cleans and dental sealants. These cleans are more thorough than the toothbrush and floss, ridding your smile of the stubborn tartar that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
Fillings and Treatment for Children
An oral health therapist can treat tooth decay in children and adolescents, often using tooth-coloured fillings made from composite resin. They're also trained to help young patients feel relaxed, which makes them a great fit for a child's first dental visits.
Gum Disease Treatment
Oral health therapists can treat gum disease with deep cleaning and ongoing maintenance. This is often part of a broader periodontal treatment plan.
Mouthguards and Nightguards
They can help create and maintain oral appliances such as sports mouthguards and nightguards, which protect your teeth from injury and grinding.
Oral Health Advice and Home Care
Your oral health therapist will show you how to get the most from your home care routine. They can recommend products and a maintenance schedule to suit your needs, whether you're dealing with sensitive teeth, gum concerns or a history of decay.
Referrals to a Dentist or Specialist
If you need treatment outside their scope, your oral health therapist will refer you to one of our dentists or to a specialist.
How Is an Oral Health Therapist Different From a Dentist?
Oral health therapists focus on prevention, cleans, gum care and routine restorative treatment. Dentists provide the full range of dental care, including more complex treatment such as root canal therapy, crowns and implants and oral surgery. At Bell Hill Dental, our dentists and oral health therapists work together, so you're seen by the right person for your needs.
Why See an Oral Health Therapist?
Our philosophy is simple: prevention is better than cure. Regular visits with an oral health therapist help catch problems early, before they need more complex treatment. Our therapists take a gentle, personalised approach, which makes them a favourite with many of our patients, especially children and anyone who feels nervous about dental visits.
Oral Health Therapist FAQs
Can adults see an oral health therapist?
Yes. Adults regularly see oral health therapists for cleans, gum care and oral health advice. Whether they can also provide fillings for adults depends on their training.
Where do oral health therapists train in New Zealand?
Oral health therapists complete a degree such as the Bachelor of Oral Health at the University of Otago here in Dunedin, or the Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health at AUT.
Do I need a referral to see an oral health therapist?
Find the answer on our FAQ page: Do I need a referral to see an oral health therapist?
Book With Our Oral Health Therapists in Dunedin
To learn more or to book your next visit with the dentist or oral health therapist, we welcome your call on (03) 477 8387.