Our Purpose
Our purpose is to serve dental hygiene, dental therapy and oral health therapy professions by preserving and promoting their interests and enhancing their professional profile.
About NZOHA
Te Ohu Pūniho Ora O Aotearoa - The New Zealand Oral Health Association (NZOHA) was established in 2021 by the New Zealand Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association (NZDOHTA) and the New Zealand Dental Hygienists Association (NZDHA).
Operating as one association allows us to be aligned with the new Ministry of Health’s strategy for integrated service delivery and to unify professionals across the three disciplines of dental therapy, dental hygiene and oral health therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
"As one association, we have a bigger and louder voice to advocate for our profession for better oral health outcomes in Aotearoa."
Samuel Carrington, Vice President of NZDHA and Te Ao Mārama Rep of NZDOHTA
Our Executive Committee
The NZOHA Executive Committee provides direction, oversight and the management of the NZOHA, Te Ohu Pūniho Ora O Aotearoa. The NZOHA Executive primary goal is to support and advocate for our members which includes Dental Therapists, Dental Hygienists and Oral Health Therapists, as well as oral health students at Auckland University of Technology and the University of Otago.
New Zealand Oral Health Practitioner Awards 2025
In recognition of oral health practitioners who exemplify commitment to oral health care, NZOHA introduced the Oral Health Practitioner Awards.
We wish to acknowledge our members who are going above and beyond to raise the bar for our respective professions.
The 2025 winners are:
Shantanu Rawal
NZOHA Emerging Oral Health Professional Award
Celebrating rising stars in oral health with 1-7 years of professional experience who demonstrate strong clinical and leadership skills early in their careers.
Barbara Patience
NZOHA Oral Health Practitioner of the Year Award
Recognizing excellence in clinical care, education, research, advocacy and community service.
Georgina Welsh
Hon. Dame Annette King Award for Excellence in Leadership and Oral Health
Honouring a practitioner with exceptional leadership, innovation, and significant contributions to oral health advancement.
