Supportive Pathway to NDEB Certification Pilot Program

1. Approved application and acceptance to the NDEB Equivalency Process.
2. Successful completion of the NDEB Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK).
3. Successful completion of the NDEB Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ) within the last two (2) years.
4. Submit Application and Documentation:
   • Complete and submit the application form provided by the College.
   • Ensure all required supporting documents are included as per the application guidelines.
5. English Language Proficiency: The ITD must demonstrate proficiency in English, meeting the requirements outlined in the CDSA English Language Proficiency Policy RP-01, or achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 11 or 12, ensuring effective communication in the clinical setting.
6. Be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident of Canada, or authorized as lawfully permitted to work in Canada. Preference will be given to applicants currently living in Alberta.
7. Proof of current Basic Life Support (HCR/CPR) including AED equivalent certification within the last six months.
8. Be willing to potentially relocate to a remote dental practice for one (1) year.
9. Meet any other criteria as determined by the Registrar, ensuring that all necessary qualifications, standards, and competencies are met to provide safe and effective care.

• Write the CDSA Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam
• Attend a virtual or in-person interview with the Supportive Pathway Committee and the Registrar

Up to 12 Applicants will be accepted into the Supportive Pathway Pilot Program.

• Upon acceptance, all ITDs and Supervising Dentists will be required to attend the Supportive Pathway Orientation on October 3 and 4, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta.

The 12 Applicants accepted to the Supportive Pathway Pilot Program will be issued a Restricted Practice Permit on the Main Register. This permit will specify:

• Permitted Restricted Activities
  • The Restricted Permit allows for reversible dental services such as: exposing radiographs, scaling and root planing, prophy/fluoride, etc.
  • The Restricted Permit does not allow for any irreversible procedures such as: endodontic, restorative, surgical, etc.
• Any geographic restrictions
• Supervision requirements

1. Adhere to Legal and Regulatory Standards
   • Comply with CDSA Standards of Practice, the Code of Ethics, as well as any other relevant legislative requirements to ensure safe and competent practice.
2. Work within a supervised clinical practice model
   • Perform reversable clinical procedures and tasks under the Supervising Dentist.
3. Patient Care and Record Keeping
   • Provide care to patients within the restricted practice permit, ensuring thorough documentation of all treatments and interactions.
4. Confidentiality and Ethics
   • Uphold patient confidentiality and maintain high ethical standards in all aspects of patient care, respecting privacy and dignity always.
5. Professional Development
   • Continuously engage in self-directed professional development as outlined in the CDSA Continuing Competence Program Manual.
6. Communication & Self-Reflection
   • Actively seek and provide feedback with the Supervising Dentist to identify areas for improvement. Demonstrate self-reflection and responsibility for ongoing professional growth.
7. Evaluation
   • Prepare and submit an evaluation report for the Supportive Dentist to the College as required.

• Finish the one (1) year of the supervised program.
• Undergo a final evaluation report with the Supervising Dentist. The report will be submitted by the Supervising Dentist to the College.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the CDSA’s Standards of Practice and regulations governing dentists in Alberta.

The Registrar will review the reports and feedback of both the Supervising Dentist and ITDs to confirm completion of the Pathway Program.

• ITDs can continue practicing within Alberta under a Restricted Practice Permit without the supervision or geographical conditions of the Supportive Pathway Program.
• Independent practice is not permitted. Services must be provided within a dental practice that has a designated Responsible Dentist.
• The Restricted Practice Permit is not portable within Canada.
• ITDs can Pursue successful completion of the NDEB to move from the Restricted Practice Permit to full Registration.

Supportive Pathway Application Fee: $500

Dentists accepted to the Supportive Pathway are on the Main Register, and upon registration the Fees required are:

• First Time Registration: $1,000
• Practice Permit Fee (term: October 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025):  $2,453
• Annual Practice Permit Renewals are required by December 31of each year and follow the CDSA Permit Fee Structure

The College of Dental Surgeons requires a minimum of $2 million in professional liability insurance; this insurance is included in the practice permit fee.

The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) collects various fees as established by the Council under Bylaw 23.

1. Hold a current, unrestricted practice permit as a General Dentist in Alberta.
   • • Be in good standing with the College.
     • Practicing for a minimum of five (5) years.
2. Propose and demonstrate that your practice is in an underserved area, for reasons such as:
   • • Shortage of oral health care professionals
     • Unmet, high patient demand
3. Maintain a clinical practice facility equipped with the necessary infrastructure to provide a supportive learning environment.
4. A willingness to actively supervise and guide individuals, fostering their professional development and integration into the Alberta Dental Profession.
5. Ensure impartiality by disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.
6. Be engaged in full-time practice at the facility and available to supervise the ITD on an ongoing basis.
7. Be willing to employ the ITD in accordance with applicable labour laws and regulations. An employment contract must be formalized and signed.
8. Meet any other criteria as determined by the Registrar, ensuring that all necessary qualifications, standards, and competencies are met to provide safe and effective care.

• Attend a virtual or in-person interview with the Supportive Pathway Committee and the Registrar.

Up to 12 Supervising Dentists will be accepted into the Supportive Pathway Pilot Program

• Upon acceptance, all Supervising Dentists and ITDs will be required to attend the Supportive Pathway Orientation on October 3 and 4, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta.

1. Adhere to Legal and Regulatory Standards
   • Comply with CDSA Standards of Practice, the Code of Ethics, as well as any other relevant legislative requirements to ensure safe and competent practice.
2. Promote Integration
   • Facilitate the smooth integration of the ITD into the workplace, ensuring they are informed about the facility’s operations and available resources.
3. Work within a supervised clinical practice model
   • Clearly define the ITD’s tasks, outlining working methods and objectives to guide their performance and help them organize their responsibilities.
   • Introduce ITDs to your management practices.
4. Patient Care and Record Keeping
   • Allow the ITD to perform restricted activities as defined by their restricted practice permit, while providing appropriate guidance and support to ensure patient care is delivered safely and thoroughly documented.
5. Confidentiality and Ethics
   • Guide the ITD in ensuring patient confidentiality and high ethical standards are maintained in all aspects of patient care.
6. Professional Development
   • Regularly assess the ITD’s performance by providing on-site supervision, engaging in constructive discussions to address challenges and identify strengths, opportunities for growth, and professional development.
7. Communication & Self-Reflection
   • Actively seek and provide feedback with the ITD to identify areas for improvement.
8. Evaluation
   • Prepare and submit an evaluation report for the ITD to the Registrar as required.

• The ITD finishes one (1) year of the supervised program.
• The Supervising Dentist will complete a final evaluation report with the ITD. The report will be submitted by the Supervising Dentist to the College.
• The ITD demonstrates an understanding of the CDSA’s Standards of Practice and regulations governing dentists in Alberta.

The Registrar will review the reports and feedback of both the Supervising Dentist and ITDs to confirm completion of the Supportive Pathway Program.

• ITDs can continue practicing within Alberta under a Restricted Practice Permit without the supervision or geographical conditions of the Supportive Pathway Program.
• Independent practice is not permitted. Services must be provided within a dental practice that has a designated Responsible Dentist.
• The Restricted Practice Permit is not portable within Canada.
• ITDS can Pursue successful completion of the NDEB to move from the Restricted Practice Permit to full Registration.

• Choose to continue on the CDSA roster as a Supervising Dentist.
• Offer the ITD continuing employment under a Restricted Practice Permit without the supervision or geographical conditions of the Supportive Pathway Program.