Our new suite of registration policies reflects a modern framework and aligns with the legislation and regulations governing the registration of health care professionals in Alberta.
Our role is to ensure Albertans receive safe, competent, and ethical oral health care from dental assistants. We establish registration requirements and set the standards that guide safe and ethical practice.
We work in the public interest by ensuring that dental assistants entering the profession are educated to provide safe, consistent, people-centred care. As part of our regulatory mandate, we review and approve dental assisting education programs in Alberta.
Through the program approval process, we confirm that programs meet the competencies, standards, and regulatory requirements necessary for graduates to practise safely and effectively. This helps ensure that Albertans receive quality oral health care from professionals who are prepared for practice.
The College has the authority, under Alberta’s Health Professions Act (HPA), to review, approve, and monitor dental assisting education programs and courses in the province. Our Program Approval Policies explain how we make sure that education programs prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to become safe and competent dental assistants.
The policies are used together with our Dental Assisting Education Principles to guide decisions about program approval and ongoing oversight. They help ensure programs meet minimum standards for entry to practice and protect the public by supporting quality dental assisting education.
Before a program or course can be offered or changed, it must be reviewed and approved by the College. The policies define what it means for a program to be provisionally approved or fully approved, what’s required to keep approval, and how approval can be removed if standards aren’t met.
Does the College run or teach dental assisting programs?
No. The College does not operate, teach, or manage educational programs. We review programs for quality and safety, but independent educational institutions offer the programs themselves.
Does the College get involved in student concerns or complaints about a program?
The College’s role is to evaluate whether a program meets educational standards. We don’t resolve individual student concerns or academic grievances. Students should raise concerns directly with their institution; however, we may consider patterns of concerns if they relate to program quality or patient safety.
How does a dental assisting program become approved by the College?
Programs must submit detailed information about their curriculum, instructors, learning resources, clinical training, and assessment methods. The College reviews this information against education principles with specific criteria and determines whether the program adequately prepares students for practice.
Does program approval guarantee that a student will become registered?
No. Program approval confirms that the program meets educational standards. However, each graduate must still meet all registration requirements, which may include demonstrating competence, passing a national exam, submitting documentation, and complying with College legislation and policies.
Does the College monitor approved programs?
Yes. Approved programs must continue to meet the College’s standards. We may review programs periodically or when significant changes occur, such as curriculum updates, new clinical facilities, or changes to program leadership.
Who can I contact if I have questions about program approval?
You can contact the College’s Program Approval team at programapproval@abrda.ca. We can answer questions about how the Program Approval process works.
