Practice Requirements

As a dental assistant in Alberta, you must meet specific practice requirements to maintain your permit and continue practising. These requirements support safe, ethical, and competent practice throughout your career.

Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

You’re required to follow the College’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. These documents outline your professional responsibilities, expected behaviours, and ethical obligations, and they guide your decision-making in everyday practice.

Review the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

Continuing Competence Program (CCP)

All dental assistants are required to participate in the College’s Continuing Competence Program (CCP) each year. The CCP supports ongoing learning and reflection to help you maintain and enhance your professional knowledge, skills, and judgment over time.

Learn about the CCP

Professional liability insurance (PLI)

All practising dental assistants must maintain professional liability insurance (PLI). PLI provides protection in the event of a professional liability claim related to your practice. It’s your responsibility to ensure your coverage meets the College’s requirements and remains current while you’re practising. 

Review PLI requirements

Patient relations learning requirement

Dental assistants must complete the patient relations learning requirement as part of their practice obligations.

• New registrants are required to complete the full patient relations learning module.
• Renewing registrants are required to complete an annual refresher to reinforce expectations for professional, respectful, and people-centred care.

Learn more about the patient relations learning requirement

Self-reporting to the College

Having a practice permit comes with responsibilities. One of them is your duty to self-report.

You must promptly self-report to the Registrar & CEO: 

• if your ability to provide safe, competent care has been compromised 
• findings of unxprofessional conduct or alternative complaint processes with another professional regulatory body 
• findings of professional negligence and/ or malpractice 
• criminal offence charges 
• criminal offence convictions 
• anything that may negatively impact your fitness to practice dental assisting (including medical conditions or disorders) 

Complete this form to self-report to the College