[suzandrob]

My husband and I are both American dentists researching a possible move to NZ --- anyone on the forum a dentist? We would like to know a bit about the differences in practice from here to there --- also, if anyone has been through the accrediting process and can give some first-hand info.
Thanks!
Peace,
Susie

[Anita & Marco]

Sorry, I am not a dentist, so cannot give you first hand advise. However, I have been to the dentist and was treating by a guy from Egypt. Nice bloke. He explained to me that it took him a long time before his qualifications were recognised and he had to sit exams - the latter took him nearly a year and he knew about others who had more troubles than him.

My own dentist back in The Netherlands had the same story and for him it was a reason not to give it a try, although he had family living in NZ.

You should check out the professional organisation / NZQA requirements on dentists, I guess.

Cheers,
Anita

[Nicola]

Hi

I am working here as a dentist, having emigrated from the UK just over a year ago. I worked in Edinburgh before coming over so not sure on differences in working practices although it is pretty similar here to Uk private practice. Children up to 12yrs are seen at school by therapists, teenagers by dentists under a government fixed fee scheme, although not every dentist takes part.

As regards registration your first port of call would be the Dental Council of New Zealand here http://www.dentalcouncil.org.nz/dcRegistrationDentistGuide to see if your degree is accepted. If it is then you just need to sit a written exam on conditions of practice here. This is pretty straightforward - you can do it from where you are now, just getting someone to adjudicate and send it back. It does have to be done on a certain date all over the world and sent back by a certain date.

If your degree is not recognised ( I should think america is OK, but the website tells you ) you will have to come to NZ to sit a practical and written exam at Otago University, I think.

The dental council were really helpfull and easy to talk to.

The NZ dental association also has lots of information - http://www.nzda.org.nz/

Brief reply but hope this helps and good luck, any more specific questions feel free to ask.

peter

[suzandrob]

Thanks, Peter.
It looks as if our degrees are accepted and we will just need the conditions of practice exam. Did you find it difficult to find a position? Did you use any type of placement agency, or just send out CV's? Are dentists paid reasonably well? We live a relatively modest lifestyle, but would like to be able to save enough to have some freedom to travel home occasionally and a few extras. We were hoping that perhaps both of us would be able to work part-time so we would have time to spend with our boys as well!

Of course, before we can even start the process of emigration, we have to make certain we can find good associates/buyers for our practice here. Our situation here professionally is great, but we are hoping to find a better culture to raise our boys in --- less emphasis on materialism, etc.

Thanks for your help and any insight you have!
Peace,
Susie

[Nicola]

Hello

I did start with an agency but in the end found my own job.

The NZDA have a classified adverts section here http://www.nzda.org.nz/ads.htm

It lists associate positions practices for sale etc.Most new graduates here shoot off abroad at first so there do seem to be quite a few jobs going.

And quite a few dentists advertise in the British Dental Journal as well, you probably have the equivalent where you are.

Dentists are paid well by Kiwi average standards but as you will see from other threads you will probably find yourselves worse off here. With us that is offset by the better lifestyle but everybody has to decide for themselves. We have three boys ourselves and a better family life is what attracted us.

Are you planning to set up your own practice or work as associates over here ? I am an associate in a group practice which meant that there washelp to explain the paperwork etc when I first arrived.

peter