Future CDA Regulation in British Columbia

The certified dental assisting profession in BC has been regulated by the College of Dental Surgeons of BC since 1971.  In 2002, the CDABC requested that the government grant the profession the privilege of self -regulating in the public interest. Recently, March 2006, the Ministry dismissed the profession’s application without cause. The profession continues to pursue other avenues to reach our goal.

The vision of the vast majority of CDABC members is achieving self-regulation. To gain an appropriate level of independence managing our profession in a model where certified dental assistants (CDAs) make decisions about their standard of practice, educational requirements, and conduct in the best interests of the patients they  care for. Our present regulatory situation does not serve the public, nor our profession, for the following reasons.

Government Barriers - The government’s agenda includes a directive to not create any more health profession colleges in this province. Therefore, the provincial government is responsible for preserving a regulatory model that does not serve the best interests of the citizens of British Columbia. With CDAs being restricted to working solely under the direct supervision of a dentist, the public cannot benefit from accessing basic oral health care and education that could be provided by certified dental assistants in settings other than the traditional dental office. There are a growing number of under-serviced populations in BC with unmet oral care needs. The cost to our society is substantial.

Council Structure - Certified dental assistants are registrants of the College of Dental Surgeons (College) without  voting privileges; hence no voice. The College reports that they have a voice via the CDA Advisory Committee. However, it is important to understand that even if there were a dozen such committees, all decisions are made by the College Council consisting of 12 dentists, 7 public members, and 1 CDA. It is conspicuously obvious, that with this governance structure, the respective employers have the power to make decisions that affect the certified dental assisting profession (their employees); here in lies the conflict of interest between the employers’ interest and the interest of patients.

Public Interest - How does this Council structure serve the public interest? Numerous articles have been written supporting the concept that it is unethical for one profession to regulate another for economic gain.  The Council’s decision to degrade the Prosthodontic Module by giving dentist/employers the option to teach their CDA to fabricate a single provisional is an example of diluting the educational standards. Without formalised education and standardised assessment the public is placed at risk of harm.

Current CDA Regulation in British Columbia

Certified dental assistants are qualified, licensed, oral health care professionals who provide essential support and patient care services under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Certified dental assistants are regulated under the Dentists Act and must be registered and licensed by the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. The College of Dental Surgeons of BC is charged with the responsibility for protecting the public by:

• establishing educational standards for entry to the certified dental assistant profession,
• establishing registration and licensing requirements,
• ensuring registrants' continued competency,
• maintaining a register of qualified certified dental assistants and dentists,
• establishing and enforcing a code of conduct for the professions,
• investigating complaints,
• disciplining registrants.

For complete information regarding registration, licensing, and complaint procedures contact the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. CDSBC