We are working toward all dental assistants being authorized for the same Entry Practices. This common entry practice for all Alberta dental assistants will be more aligned with other Canadian jurisdictions.
Our first step is grouping the dental assisting intra-oral services into Entry Practices and Advanced Practices. Typically, all new dental assistants will be authorized for all Entry Practices (see list below). If a dental assistant is not authorized for a specific Entry Practice, it will show on our Registry as a condition on that dental assistant’s practice. Beginning with our 2020 Practice Permit, the condition will also show on their Practice Permit.
Advanced Practice
In addition to the Entry Practices, dental assistants may provide other intra-oral services that we consider to be Advanced Practices (see list below). We will only authorize dental assistants for Advanced Practices if they have completed approved education.
If a dental assistant is authorized for a specific Advanced Practice, it will show on our Registry as an authorization. Beginning with our 2020 Practice Permit, the authorization will also show on their Practice Permit.
Entry Practices
- dental radiographs
- impressions
- dental dam
- selective coronal polishing and anticariogenic agents
- pit and fissure sealants
- desensitizing agents
- matrices and wedges
- topical anaesthetic
- suture removal
- bases and liners
Advanced Practices
- orthodontic
- preventive
- probing
- prosthodontic
Read Skills and Authorized Practice for more about the intra-oral services a dental assistant can provide and the competencies that are part of the Advanced Practices.
Review our Registration Policies for more about how we register dental assistants and authorize them for Entry and Advanced Practices.