Professional liability insurance (PLI) is mandatory for all dental assistants who hold a practice permit in Alberta. It protects both you and the public by covering legal costs and claims related to errors, omissions, or negligence in your practice.
Before you apply for registration, renew or reinstate your practice permit, you must have your own individual PLI policy in place. Your name must be on the policy, and it must meet the College’s coverage requirements.
Coverage requirements
Your PLI must:
- be occurrence-based (covers incidents that happen during your policy period, even if a claim is made later)
- provide at least $2,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 per year in total coverage
- be continuous, with no gaps in your coverage while you hold a valid practice permit
Where to get coverage
You may choose your own insurance provider. Several options are available, including group plans through professional associations or independent brokers. We do not endorse specific providers, so compare plans to find one that meets the College’s requirements.
How to upload your proof of coverage
To demonstrate that you meet the PLI requirement:
- Obtain your PLI certificate or written proof from your insurer showing that the coverage meets the College’s requirements.
- Sign in to the portal.
- Go to your registration, reinstatement or renewal application, or the insurance section of your registration information.
- Upload your PLI certificate.
The certificate must show your policy period covers you through the practice year you’re applying for (for example, when you’re applying for the 2026 permit year, your PLI must be in effect from December 1, 2025, through December 1, 2026).
Why PLI is required
PLI is required under Alberta’s Health Professions Act. It protects the public by ensuring patients have recourse if something goes wrong, and it protects you by covering eligible defence costs and claims that may arise from your professional services.
Frequently asked questions
What is PLI?
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Professional liability insurance (PLI) is insurance coverage that protects both the patient and the professional.
Public protection
PLI is one of the ways we protect the public interest. It assures patients that the actions of dental assistants are covered by insurance if the patient suffers a loss due to errors or omissions in the dental assistant’s work.
Professional protection
PLI is intended to protect a professional (the dental assistant) when a claim is made against them. The coverage protects the dental assistant against losses that may result from actual or alleged incidents where the dental assistant fails to meet expected standards and conduct. For example, unprofessional conduct, negligence, malpractice, mistakes/errors, or omissions.
Professional liability insurance is also known as “errors and omissions insurance” or “malpractice insurance.”
Where can I get professional liability insurance (PLI)?
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Many providers offer professional liability insurance (PLI). Though your PLI must be the type and amount Council requires, it’s up to you to choose who you purchase it from.
These options* may help get you started:
Prolink is one option of an insurance company that offers PLI for dental assistants, including immediate access to an insurance certificate when you use their online application form.
Association of Alberta Dental Assistants and RDA Collective are two options of Alberta associations that offer PLI for dental assistants.
*We do not endorse any providers.
Can I use my employer’s insurance instead of my own PLI?
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No. You must have your own individual professional liability insurance policy. Employer or clinic insurance does not meet the College’s requirement because it may not cover you personally in all situations.
What type of PLI policy do I need?
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You must be able to prove that you hold your own individual professional liability insurance (PLI) that meets our requirements:
We require that:
- your name must be on the PLI policy, and it must match the name in your profile in the portal and reflected on your registration/ reinstatement/ renewal application
- your coverage is:
- occurrence based
- at least two-million dollars ($2,000,000.00) per claim
- at least three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for all claims combined per year
You must always have professional liability insurance (PLI) while you hold a valid practice permit. In other words, there can be no gaps in your coverage.
What does occurrence-based coverage mean?
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An occurrence policy covers you for incidents that happen during your policy period, regardless of when a claim is made against you. This means if something happens during your policy period but isn’t reported until after your policy expires, your claim can still get covered.
Occurrence-based coverage is different than claims-made coverage. Claims-made policies only cover you when an incident happens, and a claim is filed during your policy period. For losses or incidents that are filed after your policy expires, claims-made insurance won’t cover you.
Does PLI coverage only apply when someone is registered with the College, and does this include provisional registration?
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Yes. PLI coverage is only in effect when an individual is registered with the College. This requirement includes provisional registration. If PLI is purchased while an individual is not registered, there is no coverage for any incidents that occur during that time.
What do I do if something happens and I need to make a claim?
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You must report potential professional liability (malpractice) claims immediately to your insurance company. This is required by Standard of Practice 2.2(i). It is also in your best interest as some claims have been denied because the insured person waited too long to report the incident. Also, advise your insurance provider before seeking legal advice on your own as your coverage may include access to legal advice.
Potential claims can include but are not limited to:
- dropping an instrument and harming a patient
- a patient swallows a rubber dam clamp
- using an instrument that’s too warm and causes tissue to burn
- exposing a patient to contaminated instruments
- an incident that happens where you practice, even if you’re not involved
- a complaint is made against you to the College
Insurance companies do not share claims information with us. However, you are responsible to report to us if a finding of professional negligence is made against you.
