The ADA&C is changing!
Beginning June 1, 2022, the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) will begin operating under the name College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA).
The divesting of association functions and activities from the college’s mandated role started in early 2021 and will be completed by early 2023.
Why are professional association functions being divested from the college?
In December 2020, the Government of Alberta passed Bill 46, The Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (No. 2). This bill provides for significant amendments to the Health Professions Act including the mandatory requirement for health professional regulatory colleges to cease and divest of professional association functions and activities.
Legislation requires the ADA&C to cease and divest of professional association functions. This means no longer delivering activities that focus on promoting or advocating for the dental profession. The ADA&C will move forward operating as the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA).
How will the divestment impact the public?
There is no impact to the public. The CDSA will continue to carry out its activities and govern the profession of dentists in a manner that protects and serves the public and patients in accordance with the Health Professions Act, and is accomplished by:
- Continuing to establish, maintain and enforce standards for registration, and of continuing competence for the profession of Dentists in Alberta
- Continuing to establish, maintain and enforce a Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice,
- Providing direction to, and regulating the practice of the dental profession,
- Continuing to act on a complaint about a dentist by resolving, investigating or referring to a hearing and enforcing any orders that may be made by a hearing tribunal establishing, monitoring and evaluating professional, clinical and ethical standards
How will the divestment impact dentists?
The divestment of professional association functions from the regulatory college will have no direct impact on a dentist’s registration or practice.
The CDSA will continue its obligations under the Health Professions Act to fulfill the legislative mandate to regulate and govern the dental profession in the public interest.
Will there be a professional dental association in Alberta? YES!
The newly developed Alberta Dental Association (ADA) will advocate for the dental profession, promote access to public and member services, and advance the goals of oral health in Alberta.
You can learn more about the Alberta Dental Association by visiting albertadentalassociation.ca
What is the difference between a regulatory college and professional association?