On Tuesday 10 March 2009 Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists members met at the PSA to consider an offer from the Department of Health.
Discussion between PSA and Department of Health have been ongoing over several years regarding Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists classification structure.
The Key features of the offer are:

1. Assessment Matrix/Panels
   An Assessment Matrix to provide reclassification through recognition of experience from OPS4 to OPS5, thereby facilitating a structure which acknowledges experience and competency.
   SA Dental Service will establish two Assessment Panels, one to assess Dental Therapists and one to assess Dental Hygienists.
2. Competencies
   There are ten (10) assessment criteria in the Matrices. It is proposed that staff would need to have 60% of boxes ticked to be reclassified to the higher level.
   
3. Tutoring/Mentoring
   The Work Level Descriptions (WLDs) at OPS5 level provide for staff to deliver formal training. The Department of Health does not believe tutoring warrants the OPS6 classification level.
4. Principal Dental Therapist
   There are currently three (3) Dental Therapists (OPS5) and two (2) Dental Hygienists (OPS5) positions in SA Dental Service that may be eligible for translation to OPS6 level as a 'Principal'

PSA will arrange a meeting with the Department of Health to convey to the Department the outcome of the membership meeting.

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