The Alberta Government has been working to make the health system more efficient and responsive while supporting and protecting patients. That work included Bill 46, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020, which amended the Health Professions Act (HPA).
As of March 31, 2023, the Bill 46 changes are in effect and Alberta has a new regulatory framework to improve governance and accountability. We support Government’s vision and appreciate their efforts to ensure the health-care system and health professionals meet the health needs of Albertans.
The new framework streamlines information. Content that is common to all professions has been moved out of each health profession regulation and into the Health Professions Act. Information specific to a health profession appears in that profession’s regulation, bylaws and standards of practice.
Dental Assistants Profession Regulation
The information that stayed in the amended Dental Assistants Profession Regulation is specific to the dental assisting profession. It covers:
- Registers (the categories of dental assistants we register: General, Provisional and Courtesy)
- Registration Requirements
- Protected Titles (registered dental assistant/RDA and dental assistant/DA)
This chart shows the information that moved out of the Dental Assistants Profession Regulation and where it is now.
| Moved out of DAPR | Moved Into |
|---|---|
| Good character | HPA section 28(1)(e) |
| Liability insurance | HPA section 28(1)(c) Bylaws section 12 |
| Practice Permit Renewal Requirements and Conditions | Renewal requirements: HPA section 40, Bylaws section 16 Conditions: HPA section 40.1 |
| Restricted Activities | HPA Health Professions Restricted Activities Regulation Standards of Practice section 8 and 9 |
| Continuing Competence | Standards of Practice section 18 |
| Alternative Complaint Resolution | HPA section 58 |
| Reinstatement of Registration and Practice Permits cancelled under HPA Part 4 | HPA section 45.1 Bylaws section 26 |
| Collection and Release of Information | Collection: HPA section 33(4) Release: HPA section 132(1)(bb)(ii), Bylaws sections 18, 30, 31 |
Regulating for Albertans
In addition to the changes to the Dental Assistants Profession Regulation, we updated our Bylaws and Standards of Practice to ensure we are regulating dental assistants in the public interest. We are pleased to have worked with Alberta Health and the other colleges toward the new framework. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure regulatory excellence in Alberta.
Resources
Health Professions Act
Dental Assistants Profession Regulation
Health Professions Restricted Activities Regulation
Bylaws
Standards of Practice