Dental hygienists and therapists - use licences

Overview

A use licence allows an individual to use specific types of a radiation sources for a specific purpose. Failure to hold the required use licence is an offence under the Radiation Act 2005.

This page details the information and the form required for dental hygienists/therapists to apply for or vary an existing use licence in relation to the use of a dental intra-oral X-ray unit, panoramic radiography unit, cephalometric radiography unit and dental 3D volumetric imaging unit.

Applicants seeking a licence to use radiation sources must meet certain prerequisites prior to being issued with a use licence.

Check if you are exempt

Before you apply for a radiation use licence read the full exemptions to check if you are exempt from the requirement to hold a use licence.

If you are unsure whether you require a licence, email the department via radiation.safety@health.vic.gov.au prior to lodging an application. Please provide a description of your proposed activity to clarify your licensing requirements.

Prerequisites: information to include in your application

All of the following information must be included with your application (electronic files can be attached with your application).

Recognised training courses

Panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units

Registered training courses

3D volumetric imaging unit (Radiation Safety)

3D volumetric imaging unit (Applications training)

Recognised tertiary education establishment

Relevant courses provided by the following tertiary education establishments are considered to include sufficient training in the use of panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units:

• The University of Melbourne
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Adelaide
• The University of Western Australia
• James Cook University
• Charles Sturt University
• Griffith University
• The University of Otago

If an education establishment is not included on the list of recognised tertiary education establishments but you believe the course covers the use of panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units in sufficient detail, then you should email evidence to demonstrate this training in the use of panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units to us via radiation.safety@health.vic.gov.au

The demonstration of training in the use of panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units must include the following:

1. A copy of the education establishment’s lecture information relevant to panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units.
2. A copy of the education establishment’s requirements for training in the use of panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units.
3. A letter from the education establishment that verifies that the education establishment is satisfied that the graduate is competent to use panoramic/cephalometric X-ray units.

Mutual recognition

A person who is registered in an equivalent occupation in another state or territory or New Zealand may be entitled to apply to the department under the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992 for a licence to use radiation sources in Victoria related to their occupations.

See the mutual recognition arrangements page for more information.

Conditions of licence and other relevant documents

Compliance with the Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Radiation Protection in Dentistry is a condition of use licences issued to dental hygienists / therapists and applicants must be familiar with these requirements.

Licence durations, licence fees, assessment process and timeframes

See the general information on use licences section for more information.

Apply for a use licence or apply to vary an existing licence

Before you apply for a use licence it is important that you read the following publication:

Once you familiarise yourself with the prerequisites for licensing you can apply using the licensing portal.

Select your occupation and then choose the radiation sources that you would like to be authorised to use.

You will then be asked to upload the required prerequisites and pay the prescribed fee with either credit card (preferred) or BPay. There is no fee applicable to vary your use licence.

For more information visit the page - Implementation of new licensing portal.

Ready to apply? Visit Apply for a use licence or apply to vary a licence.