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A sharp rise in the number of disciplinary cases against dentists has forced the Dental Council to impose an extra levy on the profession to cover the costs.
The Dental Council has forecast disciplinary costs at $1.26 million by March next year, however it will have a total shortfall of $1.245m from its reserves.
It means the country's 2766 dentists who have an annual practising certificate will have to pay $385 each, including GST, by 20 November.
Four other oral health professions made up of 1869 annual practising certificate holders will also have to pay an additional levy, including dental hygienists and orthodontic auxiliaries ($408), dental therapists ($247), and oral health therapists ($172).
All members already pay a levy through their annual practising certificate to meet a disciplinary expenses reserve, but this would be an additional levy.
In a letter to affected members, the Dental Council acknowledged the cost of living crisis was a source of stress and said while it regretted the need to charge the levy, it remained committed to keeping the New Zealand public safe from harm.
Chief executive Marie MacKay said the council had been "subjected to unexpected disciplinary costs due to a significant rise in professional conduct cases across multiple professions".
MacKay said the costs had exceeded the current reserves set about 18 months ago.
The reserve for dentistry was $740,000, and $27,000 each for dental hygiene, and oral health and dental therapy.
MacKay said there had been an increase in conduct related cases including 13 that were being investigated by a professional conduct committee (PCC) of the council, three that had progressed to the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal where charges laid against the practitioner are heard, and one appeal, across the four professions.
RNZ has asked the council for the number of complaints against each of the five professions and how many of those complained about went on to a competency review, disciplinary action, restrictions on practice, supervision, further training or were struck off.
In the letter, MacKay said there was a greater degree of complexity seen in the cases being investigated.
This led to PCCs needing to engage legal expertise earlier, a rise in costs for independent legal advice, and a marked increase in the time taken by a PCC to consider each matter.
MacKay also said general costs had increased significantly in the past two years, largely driven by cost-of-living pressures.
Faster progression of cases from investigation to disciplinary hearing stage also meant costs were colliding in the same financial year, instead of being spread across several annual budgets, MacKay wrote.
The additional levy, on top of the levy for annual practising certificates, would cover current disciplinary cases, create an allowance for unknown cases next financial year, and restore reserves to their usual balance, she said.
"Council have closely considered our options and have not made this decision lightly," MacKay wrote.
"By acting now we can ensure we have adequate funding with no deficit reserve balances to fund the costs associated with upcoming disciplinary activities to 31 March 2026."
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