We’re seeking feedback from members of the public, dental assistants, employers, educators, regulators, government, and other interested parties. Please review and comment on our draft Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice before Council considers adopting these documents.
Your feedback will help us make the proposed requirements clear, fair, practical, enforceable and focused on public protection. These drafts are not in force and do not replace our current Code or Standards. Before deciding whether to adopt them, Council will consider the feedback we receive, any Ministerial comments and recommended revisions.
Why we’re updating them
We’re updating the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to provide clearer, more modern expectations for dental assistants in Alberta that align with current practice, technology, legislation, and public expectations. Our goal is to make expectations easier for the public, dental assistants, employers, and educators to find, understand and apply throughout a dental assistant’s career.
The new documents clarify professional responsibilities, support good decision-making, and help ensure consistent expectations across education, registration, professional practice, and ongoing learning throughout a dental assistant’s career.
The revised Standards of Practice focus on the minimum requirements that every regulated dental assistant must meet, while the Code of Ethics focuses on the ethical principles that guide professional judgment, conduct, and decision-making. Together, they are intended to support public trust in the profession and help dental assistants navigate both routine and challenging situations in practice.
What you can review
Draft Code of Ethics: seven principles for ethical judgment, conduct and accountability.
Review the Draft Code of Ethics
Draft Core Standards of Practice: seven enforceable expectations aligned with dental assisting practice.
Review the Draft Core Standards of Practice
Draft Authorized Practice Standard: requirements for authorized practice, restricted activities, direction, supervision, and additional or advanced practice.
Review the Draft Authorized Practice Standard
Draft Professional Boundaries Standard: requirements for boundaries, prohibited conduct, reporting and response.
Review the Draft Professional Boundaries Standard
Together, the drafts cover public interest, ethical conduct, people-centred care, accountability, authorized practice, competence, privacy, communication, professional boundaries, speaking up, learning and safer systems.
Share your feedback
Read the drafts and send us your feedback by responding to our Public Consultation feedback form (below) by October 31, 2026. You may also send written comments to us by email at contact@abrda.ca.
Tell us whether the requirements are clear, practical, fair, enforceable, aligned with legislation and effective in supporting safe, competent and ethical practice.
After the consultation closes, we’ll review the feedback and identify any changes needed. We’ll bring the results, proposed responses, Ministerial comments and recommended final documents to Council for its decision.
