Continuing Competence FAQs
To help you find the information you need about the Continuing Competence Program (CCP), we grouped FAQs by these topics:
General Information
The Competence Program Manual  has all the information you need to get started. Read the Manual to learn about the CCP requirements.
You can also sign up for a free online CCP workshop.
No, the CCP is not based on credits or points. Instead, you must complete a minimum of 2 learning objectives in every registration year.
Yes, the CCP is mandatory. If you are a Registered Dental Assistant or Provisional Dental Assistant, you must participate in the CCP.
Yes, you must post your CCP records in our CADA Portal.
- It helps you organize and post the necessary information.
- We can see the information you post which makes it easier for us to help you, if you have questions.
- When we audit your CCP records, we review them online.
Use these resources to help you. They guide you through posting your records in the Portal. They also tell you what we expect for things like wording and proof of completion.
You must keep your own copy of your CCP records for five years.
Self-Assessment
No. Your completed Self-Assessment is confidential to you.
The Self-Assessment is a fillable PDF document that you can use to rate yourself and save it on your computer/device. Or you can print and complete it on paper.
Learning Plan/Learning Objectives
As soon as you become a Registered Dental Assistant or Provisional Dental Assistant, start posting and completing learning objectives in the CADA Portal.
You must complete two objectives every year by November 30th.
Use these three resources to help you with planning and recording your learning objectives:
- Writing Effective Learning Objective and Results Statements
- Objective and Learning Plan – How to Guide
- Competence Program Manual
You can also join us at a free online CCP workshop.
Yes, you must post your CCP records in our Portal.
- it helps you organize and record the necessary information
- we can see the information you record which makes audit more efficient
Yes, if you are a Provisional Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant with a valid practice permit, you must complete learning objectives in your first year of practice/registration with the College.
Make sure you complete 2 learning objectives by November 30th.
The Competence/ Registration Year starts on December 1st, and ends on November 30th of the following year.
Learning completed in November 2023 applies to the 2023 Plan Year (December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023).
Learning completed in December 2023 applies to the 2024 Plan Year (December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024).
This diagram shows how a competence year starts in December of one year and ends in November of the next year.
Yes, if you are a Provisional Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant with a valid practice permit you must complete all competence requirements even if you aren’t working.
Practice Hours
You can upload:
- Practice Hour Verification Forms that have been signed and dated by your supervisor
- a copy of your T4 or ROE (please black out your SIN)
- copies of payslips
- letters that have been signed by your supervisor
Audit
The audit is when we review your CCP records. We check to see that your mandatory practice hours, learning plans, learning activities and verification meet the requirements.
The Competence Program Manual will help you understand our expectations and how to meet them.
No, you must post and save all your CCP records online.
We can see everything you post in the Portal. Do not send paper.
Check CCP Audit to learn about what we look for when we audit your records.
If your CCP records don’t meet the audit requirements, we will use the remedial process. In the remedial process, we work with you to help you understand the requirements and how you can meet them.
Our goal is that every audit will be satisfactory.
If you still don’t meet the audit requirements after the remedial process ends, the next step is conduct referral. In that case, we may refer you to the Complaints Director for unprofessional conduct.
Details are in:
- CCP12 Remedial Process of the CCP Policies
- CCP13 Conduct Referrals of the CCP Policies
Find a Dental Assistant
Use our Registry to check the status of a dental assistant’s Practice Permit.
Complaints & Concerns
If you have concerns about a dental assistant’s service or conduct, we are here to help.