Provisional Dental Assisting Practice

Provisional (Temporary) Registration

We may grant a Provisional Practice Permit when you are working toward completing these registration requirements:

  • National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam
  • NDAEB clinical practice evaluation (CPE)
  • intra-oral upgrading

Provisional Practice

A Provisional Practice Permit allows you to practice under supervision only. You may practice only while supervised by a Registered Dental Assistant, dentist, dental hygienist, denturist or other person approved by the Registrar & CEO. Supervision means on-site and able to assist.

You may perform:

  • administrative duties
  • infection prevention and control procedures
  • laboratory procedures
  • chairside assisting
  • entry and advanced practices we have authorized you for

You may only use the title Dental Assistant.

Eligibility

  • you completed a Canadian accredited* dental assisting program and are scheduled to write the NDAEB written examination (see note), or
  • you completed a non-accredited* dental assisting program and have passed at least one skill in the NDAEB CPE
  • you are an accredited* distance delivery program student and you have completed at least one intra-oral course

If you meet any of our eligibility requirements, you can apply for Provisional Registration. When you are ready to apply, follow our Guide for NDAEB in Progress (Provisional) Applicants. It has step-by-step instructions for accessing and using our online application.

*Accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Important to Know

  • You are allowed to have a Provisional Practice Permit for up to 365 days.
  • You must complete your registration requirements within 365 days of becoming provisionally registered.
  • Your Provisional Practice Permit will expire on November 30. To keep your provisional status after November 30 (for the remainder of your 365 day maximum) you must renew your Permit before it expires.
  • When you have completed your registration requirements, you must apply to transfer your Permit from provisional to registered.


Note about the NDAEB Written Exam

If you intend to apply for Provisional Registration and have attempted to register for the NDAEB Exam but the Exam is full or registration isn’t available, you may still be eligible to apply. Complete this form and submit it with your application for Provisional Registration.

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