Since our November 2025 update on Council activities, Council met once for their regular meeting in March. These are Council’s activities since our last update:
Accepted
- recommendations from the program approval review
Over the past few years, we have been engaging third parties to review our core programs. Our most recent review covered program approval, which Council is responsible for under the Health Professions Act.
The recommendations address improving transparency, defensibility, and alignment between education and practice readiness, while reinforcing risk-focused and data-informed governance. The executive summary highlights findings from the review.
Adopted
- a budget for June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027
The 2026-27 budget reflects a stable and responsible financial position. The annual registration fee will continue to be $225.oo for the 2027 registration cycle. The fee has been the same since 2016.
While the budget includes a planned deficit, the College remains in a healthy financial position and can responsibly absorb a short-term deficit without impairing our ability to meet statutory obligations.
Registration fees are the main source of the College’s funds, and we see a net growth of approximately 100-150 registrants per year. We also receive moderate investment income.
Expenses are influenced by registrant growth, strategic initiatives, and regulatory demands; planned investments support modernizing regulatory and strategic priorities.
Approved
- transferring $400,000.00 from unrestricted surplus to the internally restricted Evaluation and Innovation Fund
The Evaluation and Innovation Fund supports projects related to our regulatory mandate and protecting the public interest. This includes our ongoing external reviews of regulatory programs and implementing the recommendations from those reviews.
There is sufficient unrestricted surplus to replenish the fund, allowing us to continue the reviews and continue improving our regulatory programs, aligning with Council’s strategic direction.
- circulating proposed bylaw changes
Our bylaws establish Council authority, decision-making structures, and organizational accountability. Through periodic review, we maintain their effectiveness. Consulting our stakeholders is an important step when we consider changes to our bylaws.
The proposed bylaw changes will be available for comment for 30 days. We will post them on our website, invite feedback through our social media channels and notify registrants by email.
- a three-year Council learning roadmap
Council learning is a recognized best practice for regulators and supports Council members in meeting their fiduciary, oversight, and accountability responsibilities in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The roadmap will support progressive learning, facilitate planning and ensure that learning activities are routinely included in Council’s schedule.
- the November 22, 2025, meeting minutes
- a 2026 Registrar & CEO performance agreement
The agreement aligns with Council’s approved Strategic Plan, governance and oversight role under the HPA, and performance agreement template. It includes targeted development goals to support executive effectiveness and continued growth in governance leadership and system-level awareness.
Authorized
- Administration to use up to $75,000.00 from the Evaluation and Innovation Fund to begin addressing the program approval recommendations
Implementing the recommendations involves a phased approach, beginning with analysis. This will equip Council with the information required to determine how readiness risk should be governed moving forward.
Discussed
- insights and emerging issues impacting professional regulation and dental assisting
- data-informed decision making
Participated in
- governance training on inclusive dialogue and healthy debate
- a presentation about the program approval review project
- a presentation about legislative changes
- a review of meeting effectiveness after the meeting concluded
Received
- the 2026 Strategic Performance and Projects Update
The update keeps Council informed about progress toward reaching the goals in the 2025-30 Strategic Plan and key projects.
- the consent agenda items for filing
These items include financial statements, an update on the use of reserve funds, a summary of Council motions, and an information update from Administration.
Upgraded
- the program approval status of the University of Alberta’s Dental Assisting Certificate Program
In 2023, Council granted provisionally approved status to the University of Alberta’s Dental Assisting Certificate Program. The program recently achieved accreditation status from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, making it eligible for approved status.
