AR 243/2004 DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS PROFESSION REGULATION (Consolidated up to 170/2012)
ALBERTA REGULATION 243/2004
Health Professions Act
DENTAL TECHNOLOGISTS PROFESSION REGULATION
Table of Contents
1 Definitions
Registers
2 Register categories
Registration 3 Dental technologist general register
4 Dental technician general register
5 Current qualifications
6 Equivalent jurisdiction
7 Substantial equivalence
8 Courtesy register
9 Additional registration requirements
Restricted Activities
10, 11 Restricted activities authorization
12 Limitations on performing restricted activities
13 Restricted activities direction
14 Restricted activities, student
Continuing Competence
15 Program credits
16 Competence activities
17 Rules
18 Evidence
Practice Permit
19 Practice permit conditions
Alternative Complaint Resolution
20 The process
21 Leaving the process
Reinstatement
22 Application
23 Review of application
Titles
24 Use of titles
Information
25 Requested information
26 Access to regulated members’ information
Repeal and Coming into Force
27 Repeal
28 Coming into force
Definitions
1 In this Regulation,
(a) “College” means College of Dental Technologists of Alberta;
(b) “Council” means the council of the College;
(c) “dental technician courtesy register” means the dental technician courtesy category of the regulated members register;
(d) “dental technician general register” means the dental technician general category of the regulated members register;
(e) “dental technologist courtesy register” means the dental technologist courtesy category of the regulated members register;
(f) “dental technologist general register” means the dental technologist general category of the regulated members register;
(g) “Registrar” means the registrar of the College;
(h) “Registration Committee” means the Registration Committee of the College.
Registers
Register categories
2 The regulated members register established by the Council under section 33(1)(a) of the Act has the following categories:
(a) dental technologist general register;
(b) dental technician general register;
(c) dental technologist courtesy register;
(d) dental technician courtesy register.
Registration
Dental technologist general register
3 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the dental technologist general register must
(a) have obtained a diploma from a dental technology training program of at least 2 years’ duration that is approved by the Council or have successfully completed a 2‑year practicum approved by Council, and
(b) have successfully completed a practical examination in the following components of dental technology:
(i) removable full prostheses;
(ii) removable partial prostheses;
(iii) fixed partial prostheses;
(iv) fixed and removable orthodontic and periodontal appliances.
Dental technician general register
4 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the dental technician general register must
(a) have obtained a diploma from a dental technology training program of at least 2 years’ duration that is approved by the Council or have successfully completed a 2‑year practicum approved by Council, and
(b) have successfully completed a practical examination in one or more of the 4 components of dental technology referred to in section 3(b).
Current qualifications
5 An applicant for registration under section 3 or 4 must have completed the education program described in that section within 5 years prior to the date that the Registrar receives a complete application or the applicant must
(a) have been practising as a dental technologist or dental technician for at least 1200 hours in the 5 years immediately preceding the application,
(b) have successfully completed refresher education approved by the Council within one year of the date the complete application is received by the Registrar, or
(c) otherwise satisfy the Registrar that the applicant is competent to practise.
Equivalent jurisdiction
6 An applicant for registration who is currently registered in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council as having qualifications substantially equivalent to the registration requirements set out in section 3 or 4 may, on meeting the other registration requirements, be registered on the appropriate category of the regulated members register.
Substantial equivalence
7 An applicant who is not eligible to be registered under section 3 or 4 and whose qualifications have been determined by the Registration Committee to be substantially equivalent to the competence requirements under section 3 or 4 may, on meeting the other registration requirements, be registered on the appropriate category of the regulated members register.
Courtesy register
8(1) A person who is registered as a dental technologist or dental technician in good standing in another jurisdiction who requires registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose approved by the Registrar and who satisfies the Registrar of the person’s competence to provide the services related to the specified purposes is, on meeting the other registration requirements, eligible for registration on the dental technologist courtesy register or on the dental technician courtesy register, as appropriate.
(2) The term of the registration of a member registered on the dental technologist courtesy register or on the dental technician courtesy register is 12 months or less, as specified by the Registrar.
(3) A member who is registered on the dental technologist courtesy register or on the dental technician courtesy register must remain registered in the jurisdiction in which the member was registered at the time of the member’s application for registration under this section.
(4) A member registered on the dental technologist courtesy register or on the dental technician courtesy register may apply to the Registrar for an extension to the term referred to in subsection (2) and the registration may be extended if the Registrar is of the opinion that the extension is required.
Additional registration requirements
9 An applicant for registration as a regulated member must
(a) provide evidence of having the type and amount of liability insurance specified by the Council,
(b) provide the results of a criminal record check, and
(c) sign a declaration stating
(i) whether the applicant is currently under investigation for unprofessional conduct or has been disciplined in the past by the College or by another regulatory body, and
(ii) that all information in the application is true to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.
Restricted Activities
Restricted activities authorization
10 A regulated member registered on the dental technologist general register or on the dental technologist courtesy register who has completed training approved by the Council in dental asepsis and patient‑care responsibilities may be authorized by the Registrar to perform the following restricted activities for the purpose of colour matching or determining a preliminary fit:
(a) fitting fixed or removable partial or complete dentures;
(b) fitting fixed or removable orthodontic or periodontal appliances;
(c) fitting implant‑supported prostheses.
Restricted activities authorization
11(1) A regulated member registered on the dental technician general register or on the dental technician courtesy register who has completed training approved by the Council in dental asepsis and patient‑care responsibilities may be authorized by the Registrar to perform the following restricted activities for the purpose of colour matching or determining a preliminary fit:
(a) fitting removable full dentures, if the regulated member has successfully completed a practical examination in removable full prostheses;
(b) fitting removable partial dentures, if the regulated member has successfully completed a practical examination in removable partial prostheses;
(c) fitting fixed partial dentures, if the regulated member has successfully completed a practical examination in fixed partial prostheses;
(d) fitting fixed or removable orthodontic and periodontal appliances, if the regulated member has successfully completed a practical examination in fixed and removable orthodontic and periodontal appliances.
(2) A regulated member registered on the dental technician general register or on the dental technician courtesy register who has completed training approved by the Council in dental asepsis and patient‑care responsibilities and who demonstrates additional competencies in accordance with criteria established by the Council may be authorized by the Registrar to perform the restricted activity of fitting an implant‑supported prostheses within one or more of the 4 areas of practice referred to in subsection (1) for the purpose of colour matching or determining a preliminary fit.
Limitations on performing restricted activities
12 Despite an authorization under section 10 or 11, a regulated member
(a) must not perform a restricted activity that the member is not competent to perform,
(b) must not perform a restricted activity that is related to an intraoral procedure and is irreversible, and
(c) may perform only those restricted activities that are appropriate to the member’s area of practice.
Restricted activities direction
13(1) Prior to performing a restricted activity described in section 10 or 11, a regulated member, authorized by the Registrar under section 10 or 11, must have a written direction from a dentist or denturist
(a) who is authorized to perform the restricted activity, and
(b) who is responsible for determining the final fit of an appliance or denture.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a regulated member authorized by the Registrar under section 10 or 11 may perform a restricted activity described in section 10 or 11 without a written direction described in subsection (1) if a dentist or denturist who is authorized to perform the restricted activity is on site with the regulated member and provides direct verbal instruction to the regulated member while the regulated member performs the restricted activity.
Restricted activities, student
14(1) A dental technology student and a regulated member who is enrolled in an education program or practicum program approved by the Council may perform the restricted activities described in section 10 under the supervision of a regulated member who is authorized to perform the restricted activity described in section 10.
(2) The supervising regulated member must be on site where the restricted activity is being performed and must be available to assist while the restricted activity is being performed.
(3) The supervising regulated member must ensure that all restricted activities performed under the regulated member’s supervision by a student or regulated member described in subsection (1) are performed in a manner that is satisfactory to the supervising regulated member.
Continuing Competence
Program credits
15 On and after January 1 immediately following the coming into force of Schedule 6 to the Act, regulated members are required to obtain 60 hours of continuing competence program credits in each 5‑year period.
Competence activities
16 Program credits may be obtained through the following continuing competence activities if approved by the Council:
(a) attendance at a dental related scientific or clinical course designed to enhance the professional development of regulated members;
(b) presentation of a continuing competence activity to a dental group;
(c) attendance at a study club;
(d) successful completion of an examination set by the College or an examination from another dental organization recognized by the Council;
(e) participation, preparation or presentation of a research paper or abstract at an approved educational function;
(f) publication of a research paper in a peer‑refereed journal;
(g) attendance at formally organized sessions or activities sponsored or approved by the Council concerning functions of the Council, such as professional development, code of ethics or standards of practice;
(h) attendance at formally organized sessions concerning issues relevant to the practice of dental technology;
(i) research and innovation that extends beyond the technologist’s or technician’s current practice;
(j) self‑directed study;
(k) successful completion of a challenge examination approved by the Council;
(l) other activities approved by the Council.
Rules
17(1) The Council may establish rules governing
(a) the program credits that may be earned for each continuing competence activity,
(b) additional continuing competence activities for which program credits may be earned in a 5‑year period,
(c) the number of program credits earned for each continuing competence activity,
(d) requirements for program credits to be earned from specific continued competence activities in a 5‑year period,
(e) limits on the number of program credits that may be earned from specific continued competence activities in a 5‑year period, and
(f) other rules as required governing the continuing competence program.
(2) The Registrar must provide copies of the rules and the amendments to the rules established under subsection (1), on request, to the Minister of Health, the regional health authorities and any other person.
AR 243/2004 s17;170/2012
Evidence
18 At the request of the Registrar regulated members must submit evidence of successful completion of the continued competence activities to meet the required program credits.
Practice Permit
Practice permit conditions
19 The Registrar may impose conditions on a practice permit that may include but are not limited to
(a) a requirement to complete continuing competence requirements within a specified time period;
(b) a requirement to practice under the supervision of a registered dental technologist or registered dental technician;
(c) a requirement limiting practice to specific procedures;
(d) a requirement limiting practice to research or teaching;
(e) a prohibition from supervising dental technician interns or dental technology students;
(f) a requirement to complete any examinations, testing, assessment, counselling, training or education;
(g) a requirement to report to the Registrar on specified matters on specified dates;
(h) a provision that the practice permit is valid only for a specified time or a specified purpose.
Alternative Complaint Resolution
The process
20(1) The complainant and the investigated person must
(a) agree on the acceptability of the person appointed by the complaints director who is to conduct the alternative complaint resolution process, and
(b) subject to section 59 of the Act, agree to treat all information shared during the process as confidential.
(2) Before an alternative complaint resolution process is commenced,
(a) the person conducting the process must explain verbally and in writing to the complainant and the investigated person the process to be followed, and
(b) the complainant and the investigated person must agree in writing to the process to be followed.
Leaving the process
21 The complainant and the investigated person may withdraw from the complaint resolution process at any time and the other party and the College must be advised of this.
Reinstatement
Application
22(1) A person whose registration and practice permit have been cancelled under Part 4 of the Act may apply in writing to the Registrar to have the registration and practice permit reinstated.
(2) An application under subsection (1) may not be made earlier than
(a) one year after the cancellation, or
(b) one year after a previous application under subsection (1).
(3) An applicant must include in the application evidence of
(a) actions that the applicant has taken since the cancellation, and
(b) whether the applicant meets the requirements for registration as a regulated member.
Review of application
23(1) An application for reinstatement of a former member’s registration and practice permit must be reviewed by the Registration Committee in accordance with the registration procedures set out in sections 29 and 30 of the Act.
(2) When reviewing an application in accordance with subsection (1), the Registration Committee must consider the record of the hearing that cancelled the applicant’s registration and practice permit and evidence submitted of matters referred to in section 22(3).
(3) The Registration Committee may, on completing the review of an application in accordance with subsection (1), make one or more of the following orders:
(a) an order refusing the application;
(b) an order directing the Registrar to reinstate the person’s registration and practice permit, if the person is eligible for registration as a regulated member on a category of the regulated members register;
(c) an order directing the Registrar to impose specified terms and conditions on the person’s practice permit;
(d) an order directing the person making the application to pay any or all of the College’s expenses incurred in respect of the application, as calculated in accordance with the bylaws.
Titles
Use of titles
24 Subject to an order made under Part 4 of the Act, a direction made under section 118(4) of the Act or a ratified settlement, regulated members
(a) on the dental technologist general register and on the dental technologist courtesy register may use the titles dental technologist, registered dental technologist and may use the initials R.D.T.;
(b) on the dental technician general register and on the dental technician courtesy register may use the titles dental technician, registered dental technician and the initials D.T.
Information
Requested information
25(1) A regulated member must provide the following information on the initial application for registration, when there are changes to the information and on request of the Registrar:
(a) employment status, including employer name, address and phone number;
(b) position, title and area of practice;
(c) membership in any affiliated professional organizations;
(d) the regulated member’s date of birth, mailing address and home and work phone numbers;
(e) gender;
(f) year of registration and registration number;
(g) educational qualifications;
(h) school and year of graduation;
(i) date of retirement;
(j) emergency contact person.
(2) Subject to section 34(1) of the Act, the College may release the information collected under subsection (1) only
(a) with the consent of the regulated member whose information it is,
(b) in a summarized or statistical form so that it is not possible to relate the information to any particular identifiable person, or
(c) for the purpose of research or workforce planning where the Registrar is satisfied that the information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose.
Access to regulated members’ information
26 The period of time during which the College is required to provide information under section 119(4) of the Act is 5 years.
Repeal and Coming into Force
Repeal
27 The Dental Technicians Regulation (AR 392/94) is repealed.
Coming into force
28 This Regulation comes into force on the coming into force of Schedule 6 to the Health Professions Act.