Registration is mandatory. The CDAS is the regulatory body that sets the requirements for registration. The CDAS is also responsible for development, monitoring and the evaluation of professional standards.
This includes areas such as practice requirements, discipline, professional development and quality assurance. Completion of the registration procedures allows the dental assistant to use the title “Dental Assistant” or “Registered Dental Assistant” and the initials “DA” or “RDA”.
Regulated members are issued an annual license to practice (practice permit) which must be displayed at their place of employment. Dental assistants holding a practice license must participate in professional development opportunities annually. Those holding “practice licenses” are required to achieve a minimum of 15 hours of professional development each year. Note: professional development requirements are pro-rated to 9 for those registering/reinstating after June 15 annually.
The membership year for dental assistants in Saskatchewan is February 1 to January 31 annually.
Regulatory Bylaws
The Regulatory Bylaws of the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association (August 23, 2023) provide details on how the regulatory body addresses registration, licensure, and all other legislated tasks
Unprofessional Conduct
Providing services not licensed to offer Failing to keep up to date on current educational practices, equipment, and supplies to ensure it is all used and maintained properly for the safety and quality of patient care Any unsafe or incompetent practice If the public is in danger as a result of the practitioner suffering from physical or mental disease or ailment Emotional or cognitive disturbances Addiction to drugs or alcohol Sexual misconduct.
Duty to Report
Health professionals have an ethical, professional, and legal responsibility to report any unsafe practice or unprofessional conduct of any other regulated health practitioner
- Providing services not licensed to offer
- Failing to keep up to date on current educational practices, equipment, and supplies to ensure it is all used and maintained properly for the safety and quality of patient care
- Any unsafe or incompetent practice
- If the public is in danger as a result of the practitioner suffering from a physical or mental disease or ailment
- Emotional or cognitive disturbances
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol
- Sexual misconduct
2. Who can be reported?
All professionals who belong to a regulatory college are legally required to report a professional within their own regulatory body or another professional regulatory body.
3. Unsure whether something is reportable:
There are reasonable and probable grounds to believe there are unsafe practices being done. There are reliable suspicions with evidence to support a belief.
There are reliable suspicions with evidence to support a belief.
4. What to do?
Contact the college of the professional in question to inquire about what to do. Find out if it is necessary to provide a formal report. Not all inquiries will turn into formal reports.
5. Can you be sued for reporting?
No.
Most regulatory colleges provide immunity to health professionals who comply with the duty to report as long as the report was made in good faith and is based on reasonable and probable grounds.
However, if a professional is reported in bad faith without reasonable and probable grounds, they are subject to discipline for unprofessional conduct.
6. What if I know something but don’t report it?
A health professional would be in violation of the law if they do not report a practitioner under their legal, professional, and ethical responsibility to report.
A health professional could be subject to disciplinary measures given by their regulatory college and could also be subject to a complaint filed by the college.
7. Am I protected confidentially if I report a colleague or other health care professional?
No college can guarantee complete anonymity particularly if it leads to a formal hearing.
8. What happens to the health care professional if they have been reported to their regulatory college?
The complaint will be investigated and reports will be submitted. Medical monitoring may be put in place if warranted.
Public safety is the primary concern but regulatory bodies also strive to maintain respect, dignity, and privacy for the healthcare professional.
**Documentation is very important with any Unprofessional Conduct complaint. Ensure that documentation is accurate, legible, in chronological order, dated, and signed in INK. If the complaint is made by a patient or you believe a patient may complain, ensure everything is documented in their chart in the same format.
Self-Regulating Health Professions
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is responsible for appointing members of the public to self-regulate health professional associations.
Licensing and regulating certain health professions ensures accountability by:
Ensuring that the health professional is qualified to practice;
Setting standards of practice and a code of ethics that the health professional must follow;
Requiring the health professional to be registered and licensed to use the title of the profession and perform certain services
Ensuring complaints about the professional are investigated and disciplinary action is taken if necessary.
If you are concerned about the conduct of a health professional, you may wish to:
Discuss the problem with the individual. Concerns sometimes result from a misunderstanding or inadequate communication between you and the health provider.
Speak with their supervisor or an agency representative.
Contact the Regional Quality of Care coordinator, if the professional works for a health region. A Quality of Care coordinator helps individuals or families with concerns about health services delivered in his/her region.
Note: If there is more than one dentist in the office, approach the other dentist about your concerns. He or she may be able to address your concerns and make the appropriate calls to the regulatory bodies to make a report.
Regulatory Contacts
College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan
#201- 1 st Avenue S
1202 The Tower at Midtown
Saskatoon SK S7K 4H7
Phone: 306-244-5072
www.saskdentists.com
Dental Technicians Association of Saskatchewan
Box 8035
Saskatoon SK S7K 4R7
Phone: 306-764-5525
www.dtas.ca
Denturist Society of Saskatchewan
109 – 2995 2nd Avenue West
Prince Albert, SK S6V SV5
Phone: 1-855-633-6875
www.saskdenturists.ca
College of Dental Assistants of Saskatchewan
307-845 Broad St.
Regina, SK S4R 8G9
Phone: 306-252-2769
www.cdask.ca
College of Dental Hygenists of Saskatchewan
Unit 320 – 350 3rd Ave N
Saskatoon, SK S7K 6G7
Phone: 306-931-7342
cdhsk.ca)
Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association (SDTA)
PO Box 37186
Regina SK S4S 7K4
Phone: 306-501-5034
www.sdta.ca
