Hi there ,
we are hoping to emigrate via the family route this year . I am a uk qualified dental nurse & while I was in NZ 2004 & 2005 I did a bit of poking around about dental assistants , The thing that most struck me was how badly thought of dental assistants seemed to be - here in the UK its not a bad job with lots of continuing development availiable & registration becomming compulsary this year . I was amazed to see it on the skills shortage list especially with no formal qualification needed . We are hoping to head to Christchurch & I have to admit that most of the dental assistant vacancies that i enquired about were offering a similar salary in dollars to what I currently earn in pounds - eeeeekkk !!!
good luck
vic