Your Dental Assisting Practice
Dental assisting is a regulated health profession under Alberta’s Health Professions Act that typically involves working within oral health teams through a range of clinical, technical, and administrative duties.
Entry-to-practice and advanced practice
Entry practices include core competencies such as chairside assisting, infection prevention and control, radiography, and patient communication.
Advanced practice authorization allows you to perform additional skills such as orthodontic, preventive and prosthodontic services.
Regardless of training or experience, you must hold an active practice permit from the College to perform restricted activities or identify yourself as a dental assistant in Alberta.
Learn more about dental assisting practice in Alberta.
Practice requirements
To maintain your ability to practise, you must meet the College’s requirements:
Follow the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
You are responsible for practising safely, ethically, and in alignment with legislation and the College’s standards and expectations.
Maintain professional liability insurance (PLI)
You must hold continuous, valid PLI that meets the College’s minimum coverage requirements.
Complete the annual patient relations learning requirement
You must complete the patient relations module or refresher each year as part of practice permit renewal.
Learn more about your practice requirements.
Provisional register
If you’re listed on our provisional register and have a provisional permit, that means you have met most registration requirements but are still completing certain components. You are permitted to begin working under supervision.
Provisional dental assistants must:
- work only within the limits of provisional authorization
- complete all outstanding requirements within specified timelines
- apply to transfer to the general register to obtain a Registered Dental Assistant permit once all requirements are met
Review how to transfer from provisional to registered.
Resources to support your practice
We support your professional practice by providing tools, resources, and guidance. These include the Professional Practice Learning Centre, practice advice and guidelines, infection prevention and control resources and professional conduct and complaints information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a practice permit to work as a dental assistant in Alberta?
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Yes. You must hold a valid practice permit from the College to perform restricted activities or use the titles “Dental Assistant” or “Registered Dental Assistant.”
How do I know what I’m allowed to do as a dental assistant?
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Authorized activities are defined in the Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Competency Profile. Advanced practices require additional education and authorization. Your practice permit lists any conditions (limitations) on your practice if there are activities you are not authorized for. Your permit also lists authorizations if you are authorized for any advanced practices.
What is the difference between provisional and registered practice?
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Provisional dental assistants may practise for up to 365 days with limitations while completing their remaining registration requirements. Registered dental assistants have met all requirements and may practise independently within their authorizations.
Where can I find practice guidelines, advice, and tools?
What type of Professional Liability Insurance do I need?
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You must carry PLI that meets or exceeds this minimum coverage specified by the College. Coverage must be active and in place before practising.
