Program Approval Committee

Our Program Approval Committee (PAC) is a governance committee that helps us fulfill our program approval role. This committee reports and makes recommendations to Council but does not have authority to make decisions.

The PAC supports our organization’s responsibility for program approval by reviewing, recommending approval and monitoring dental assisting programs and courses.

Committee Members

Don Flaming
Faye Foshaug
Wanda Walker, Chair

Committee Activities

• review and make recommendations regarding our dental assisting education principles, and program approval policies and procedures
• review dental assisting education program and course approval applications, and program and course change applications
• recommend granting an approval status to a dental assisting education program, re-entry program or advanced practice course
• monitor dental assisting education programs, re-entry programs and advanced practice courses for compliance with the dental assisting education principles and program approval policies
• recommend removal of an approval status from a dental assisting education program, re-entry programs and advanced practice courses

If you’re interested in joining the committee

We’d like to hear from you! If you have questions, send us a message. Tell us which committee you’re interested in and what you’d like to know.

When you’re ready to apply:

• complete the Program Approval Committee Application Form
• complete the Declaration of Conflict of Interest
• submit your completed forms and your resume (including work experience, formal education, and volunteer experiences) to contact@abrda.ca 

Who can apply?

Anyone*. Our registrants and non-members are welcome to join this committee.

*Due to potential conflict of interest with this committee’s role, this exception applies: You must not currently be or have been within the most recent two years, an employee of an Alberta dental assisting program or any dental assisting program of a national organization whose dental assisting program is also delivered in Alberta.

What we’re looking for

These are particularly helpful:

• ability to apply education principles and processes
• ability to apply critical thinking and evidence-informed inquiry
• understanding of adult learning principles, teaching and learning strategies, instructional design, and program evaluation
• ability to apply adult learning principles in classroom, online or through blended education delivery
• knowledge of a systems approach to guide development of effective adult education
• ability to complete an analysis of instructional needs
• ability to apply evidence informed practice in curriculum design and development
• ability to implement adult learning principles in delivery of adult education
• ability to evaluate teaching and learning outcomes

Also helpful:

• these Attributes, Competencies and Experiences

Meetings

The PAC typically meets:

• virtually (committee members must have the technology, like reliable Internet and a suitable device, for joining virtual meetings)
• evenings or weekends
• four times throughout the year (once each quarter)

Most of the committee’s work happens from January through April. However, this may change depending on the timing and number of applications the committee needs to review.

Expenses and Compensation

Committee members may claim expenses, including travel, accommodation and salary replacement. Committee members are not employees of our College – this is a volunteer role. However, they may claim honoraria for attending meetings and other required functions. Our expense policy lists all eligible expenses. It is in our Governance Policies at GP7.1.1.