Dentistry and Dental Assisting Regulations
made under Sections 4, 13 and 14 of the
Regulated Health Professions Act
S.N.S. 2023, c. 15
O.I.C. 2025-125 (effective May 1, 2025), N.S. Reg. 83/2025
Table of Contents
Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
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Interpretation
Citation
Definitions
Regulator
Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia continued
Bylaw authorization
Public representatives on Board
Composition of registration and licensing panel
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of dentistry
Scope of practice of dental assisting
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
Registration and Licensing
Practising licence categories
Conditional licence categories
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
Criteria for practising licence
Criteria for registration in conditional register
Criteria for conditional licence
Practice and Title Use Restrictions, Services Not Prohibited and Publication Restrictions
Restriction on practice of dentistry
Restriction on practice of dental assisting
Restriction on use of “dentist” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of “dental assistant” title, description or designation
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
Services not prohibited by Act, regulations or bylaws
Restriction on use of title or designation in advertisement or publication
Inspections
Inspector
Authority of inspector
Report by inspector
Power of inspector to remove items
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
Criminal Offences and Withdrawal or Suspension of Privileges
Criminal offence or suspension or withdrawal of privilege of applicant or registrant
Interpretation
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Dentistry and Dental Assisting Regulations.
Definitions
2 In these regulations,
“Act” means the Regulated Health Professions Act;
“Board” is further defined to mean the board of the Regulator;
“competency framework” means a framework approved by the Board establishing
the competencies that registrants are required to possess to practise safely and
ethically within the scope of practice of their designation or licensing category;
“Court” means the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia;
“dentistry” means services usually performed by or under the supervision of a
dentist and includes the assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment and
prevention of diseases, disorders and conditions of the orofacial complex and
associated anatomical structures;
“former Act” is further defined to mean Chapter 3 of the Acts of 1992, the Dental
Act;
“General Regulations” means the Regulated Health Professions General
Regulations made under the Act;
“inspector” means an inspector appointed under these regulations;
“intra-oral dental services” means services performed within the oral cavity;
“Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia” means the board established under
Section 13 of the former Act;
“registration and licensing decision maker” means the registrar, the registration and
licensing committee or the registration and licensing review committee, as
applicable;
“Regulator” means the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting;
“title protection” means the restriction on the use of a title associated with a
particular designation or category of licence to persons who are authorized to
practise within the scope of that designation or registered and licensed in that
category of licence.
Regulator
Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia continued
3 The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia is continued as a regulatory body under the
name Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting with the purpose of
regulating the professions of dentistry and dental assisting in accordance with the objects
set out in Section 6 of the Act.
Bylaw authorization
4 The Regulator is authorized to make bylaws under clauses 12(2)(b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i),
(k), (l) and (m) of the Act, in accordance with the Act and these regulations.
Public representatives on Board
5 In addition to the requirement of subsection 7(2) of the Act, the number of public
representatives on the Board must be no fewer than 3 and no more than 4.
Composition of registration and licensing panel
6 In addition to the requirements of subsection 31(1) of the Act, a registration and
licensing committee panel or a registration and licensing review committee panel
appointed to review a matter must include at least 1 registrant of the profession that the
matter relates to.
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice of dentistry
7 (1) The scope of practice of dentistry is the application of specialized and
evidence-based dentistry knowledge, skills and judgment that have been taught in
an approved education program or are set out in 1 or more of the following
approved by the Board:
(a) competency frameworks;
(b) standards of practice;
(c) practice guidelines.
(2) The scope of practice of dentistry as described in subsection (1) includes the
performance of any or all of the following activities:
(a) assessing, diagnosing, managing, treating and preventing diseases, disorders
and conditions of the orofacial complex and associated anatomical
structures;
(b) performing any other services, roles, functions and activities included in the
scope of practice of the designations and licensing categories set out in the
bylaws.
(3) The scope of practice of dentistry also includes health promotion, research,
education, inter-professional collaboration, consultation, management,
administration, advocacy, regulation or system development that is related to the
activities and application of specialized and evidence-based dentistry knowledge,
skills and judgment described in subsections (1) and (2).
Scope of practice of dental assisting
8 (1) The scope of practice of dental assisting is the application of specialized and
evidence-based dental assisting knowledge, skills and judgment
(a) under the supervision of other regulated health professionals as required by
these regulations, the bylaws or the standards of practice; and
(b) that have been taught in an approved education program or are set out in 1
or more of the following approved by the Board:
(i) competency frameworks,
(ii) standards of practice,
(iii) practice guidelines.
(2) The scope of practice of dental assisting as described in subsection (1) includes the
performance of any or all of the following activities:
(a) assisting in the provision of intra-oral dental services set out in the bylaws
or standards of practice while under the supervision of a licensed dentist or
licensed dental hygienist who is physically present within the office
premises while the licensed dental assistant engages in the practice of dental
assisting;
(b) providing oral health and hygiene instruction;
(c) providing dietary counselling related to oral health;
(d) performing any other services, roles, functions and activities included in the
scope of practice of the designations and licensing categories set out in the
bylaws.
(3) The scope of practice of dental assisting also includes health promotion, research,
education, inter-professional collaboration, consultation, management,
administration, advocacy, regulation or system development that is related to the
activities and application of specialized and evidence-based dental assisting
knowledge, skills and judgment described in subsections (1) and (2).
Scope of practice of designations and licensing categories
9 Under clauses 12(2)(k) and (l) of the Act, the Regulator may make bylaws setting out all
of the following:
(a) the scope of practice of each designation and licensing category established
(i) in these regulations, and
(ii) in the bylaws;
(b) the title protection authorized for each designation and licensing category
established in the bylaws.
Registration and Licensing
Practising licence categories
10 The following are the practising licence categories for dentistry and dental assisting:
(a) dentist practising licence;
(b) dental assistant practising licence;
(c) any other category of practising licence established in the bylaws.
Conditional licence categories
11 The following are the conditional licence categories for dentistry and dental assisting:
(a) dentist conditional licence;
(b) dentist academic licence;
(c) dentist graduate student licence;
(d) dental assistant conditional licence;
(e) any other category of conditional licence established in the bylaws.
Application and criteria for registration in practising register
12 (1) An application required by Section 34 of the Act must be completed in the form
required by the registrar.
(2) In addition to the completed application, an applicant for registration in a practising
register must submit all of the following to the registrar:
(a) proof satisfactory to the registration and licensing decision maker that the
applicant meets all of the following criteria, except if any or all of the
criteria are waived under Section 59 of the Act:
(i) they are a graduate of 1 of the following:
(A) an education program approved for registration in the practising
register in which they seek to be registered,
(B) an education program that, in the opinion of the registration
and licensing decision maker, is equivalent to an education
program approved for registration in the practising register in
which they seek to be registered,
(C) an education program that, together with the applicant’s
additional education and experience and in the opinion of the
registration and licensing decision maker, provides the
applicant with the competencies to practise in the scope of
practice of registrants in the practising register in which they
seek to be registered,
(ii) they have successfully completed any examinations required by the
Board for registration in the practising register in which they seek to
be registered,
(iii) they have completed a competence assessment, if directed to do so
by the registration and licensing decision maker,
(iv) they have successfully completed any bridging education required for
registration that was determined to be necessary by a competence
assessment,
(v) they have demonstrated proficiency in the English language, in the
manner prescribed by the registrar,
(vi) they are a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to live and work in
Canada,
(vii) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered without conditions or restrictions,
(viii) they have no outstanding complaints, prohibitions, conditions,
agreements or restrictions originating from the Regulator or any other
registration or licensing authority that would preclude registration in
a register other than a conditional register,
(ix) they are the person named in the documentation submitted in support
of the application,
(x) under the requirements of the Act, these regulations and the bylaws,
they are eligible for a practising licence that corresponds with the
practising register in which they seek to be registered,
(xi) they meet any additional criteria for registration in a practising
register set out in the bylaws;
(b) the applicable fee, within the time determined by the registrar and using a
method acceptable to the registrar.
(3) The processing under Section 36 of the Act of an application and its associated
information, documents and fee described in subsections (1) and (2) must be
completed by the registrar as soon as practicable.
(4) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application must be completed by the registration and licensing committee as soon
as practicable.
Criteria for practising licence
13 (1) In addition to the completed application in a form approved by the registrar
required by Section 35 of the Act, an applicant for a practising licence must submit
all of the following to the registrar:
(a) proof satisfactory to the registration and licensing decision maker that the
applicant meets all of the following criteria, except if any or all of the
criteria are waived under Section 59 of the Act:
(i) they meet the registration criteria in subclauses 12(2)(a)(iii), (iv), (v),
(vi), (vii) and (ix),
(ii) they are registered in the practising register that corresponds with the
licensing category for which they are seeking a practising licence,
(iii) they have professional liability insurance or another form of
malpractice coverage or liability protection in the form and amount
set by the Board,
(iv) they meet the requirements of the continuing competence program
for the licensing category for which they are seeking a practising
licence,
(v) they meet the currency of practice requirements for the licensing
category for which they are seeking a practising licence,
(vi) they have no outstanding complaints, prohibitions, conditions,
agreements or restrictions originating from the Regulator or any other
registration or licensing authority that limit their ability to practise,
(vii) they have completed any assessments or education required by the
Board for the licensing category for which they are seeking a
practising licence,
(viii) they meet any additional criteria for issuing a practising licence set
out in the bylaws;
(b) the applicable fee, within the time determined by the registrar and using a
method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing under Section 36 of the Act of an application and associated
information, documents and fee described in subsection (1) must be completed by
the registrar as soon as practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application must be completed by the registration and licensing committee as soon
as practicable.
Criteria for registration in conditional register
14 (1) The registrar must enter the name of a person who meets all of the following in a
conditional register:
(a) for an existing registrant in a practising register, they have
(i) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise,
or
(ii) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process;
(b) for an applicant for registration in a register, they meet all of the following
requirements:
(i) all of the criteria for registration in a practising register, other than the
criteria in subclauses 12(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and except as
provided in subsection (4),
(ii) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be registered with conditions or restrictions,
(iii) they have either
(A) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to
practise, or
(B) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process,
(iv) under the requirements of the Act, these regulations and the bylaws,
they are eligible for a conditional licence that corresponds with the
conditional register in which they seek to be registered,
(v) any other requirements for registration in a conditional register set
out in the bylaws,
(vi) they have paid the applicable fee, within the time determined by the
registrar and using a method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing of an application under Section 36 of the Act for an applicant
described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by the registrar as soon as
practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application made by an applicant described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by
the registration and licensing committee as soon as practicable.
(4) An applicant who has not passed the examinations required for registration, but
who otherwise meets the requirements of subsection 15(1), may be granted
conditional registration by the registration and licensing decision maker pending
the passing of the registration examinations.
Criteria for conditional licence
15 (1) The requirements to be met for issuing a conditional licence under Section 43 of
the Act are as follows:
(a) for a person who is an existing registrant holding a practising licence, they
have
(i) agreed to conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise,
or
(ii) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed on them as a result of a regulatory process;
(b) for an applicant for a licence, they meet all of the following requirements:
(i) all of the criteria for registration in a practising register, other than the
criteria in subclauses 12(2)(a)(vii), (viii), (x) and (xi), and except as
provided in subsection (4),
(ii) they are registered in a conditional register that corresponds with the
licensing category for which they are seeking a conditional licence,
(iii) the requirements for a practising licence in subclauses 13(1)(a)(iii)
and (vii),
(iv) they have the capacity, competence and character to safely and
ethically engage in the practice of the profession in which they seek
to be licensed with conditions or restrictions,
(v) any additional criteria for issuing a conditional licence set out in the
bylaws,
(vi) they have either
(A) agreed to the registration and licensing decision maker’s
imposition of conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to
practise, or
(B) had conditions or restrictions that limit their ability to practise
imposed by the registration and licensing decision maker or a
statutory committee;
(c) for all applicants, they have paid the applicable fee, within the time
determined by the registrar and using a method acceptable to the registrar.
(2) The processing of an application under Section 36 of the Act for an applicant
described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by the registrar as soon as
practicable.
(3) A review and decision under Sections 37 and 38 of the Act regarding an
application made by an applicant described in clause (1)(b) must be completed by
the registration and licensing committee as soon as practicable.
(4) An applicant who has not passed the examinations required for registration, but
who otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (1), may be issued a
conditional licence by the registration and licensing decision maker pending the
passing of the registration examinations.
Practice and Title Use Restrictions, Services Not Prohibited and Publication Restrictions
Restriction on practice of dentistry
16 No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of dentistry or describe their
activities as “dentistry” unless they are 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding a dentist practising licence, a dentist conditional licence,
a dentist academic licence or a dentist graduate student licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise dentistry, in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws;
(c) exempt from the application of the Act, these regulations, the General
Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on practice of dental assisting
17 No person may engage or offer to engage in the practice of dental assisting or describe
their activities as “dental assisting” unless they are 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding a dental assistant practising licence or a dental assistant
conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise dental assisting, in accordance with the Act,
these regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws;
(c) exempt from the application of the Act, these regulations, the General
Regulations or the bylaws.
Restriction on use of “dentist” title, description or designation
18 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), no person may take or use the title,
description or designation of “dentist”, “dental surgeon” or “doctor of dental
surgery” or any derivation or abbreviation of them either alone or in combination
with other words, letters or descriptions unless the person is 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding 1 of the following under these regulations or the bylaws:
(i) a dentist practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a) of the Act,
(ii) a dentist conditional licence,
(iii) a dentist academic licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a dentist or to use the relevant title,
description or designation in accordance with the Act, these regulations, the
General Regulations or the bylaws.
(2) A person who meets all of the requirements for registration in the dentist practising
register except for passing the registration examinations approved by the Board,
and who is in a graduate dentist education program approved by the Board, may
practise within their graduate dentist education program and may use the title
“graduate student dentist” only.
Restriction on use of “dental assistant” title, description or designation
19 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), no person may take or use the title,
description or designation of “dental assistant”, the abbreviation “DA” or any
derivation or abbreviation of them either alone or in combination with other words,
letters or descriptions unless the person is 1 of the following:
(a) a registrant holding 1 of the following under these regulations or the bylaws:
(i) a dental assistant practising licence, as permitted by clause 40(a) of
the Act,
(ii) a dental assistant conditional licence;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise as a dental assistant or to use the relevant
title, description or designation in accordance with the Act, these
regulations, the General Regulations or the bylaws.
(2) A person who meets all of the requirements for registration in the dental assistant
practising register except for passing the registration examinations approved by the
Board, and who has been issued a dental assistant conditional licence pending the
passing of the examinations, may use the title “provisional dental assistant” and the
abbreviation “provisional DA” only.
Restriction on use of bylaw licensing category title, description or designation
20 No person may take or use the title, description or designation of a licensing category
established in the bylaws under clause 12(2)(l) of the Act, unless the person is 1 of the
following:
(a) a registrant holding a licence in the category that authorizes the use of that
title, description or designation;
(b) otherwise authorized to practise within the scope of the designation or to
use the title, description or designation of that licensing category, in
accordance with the Act, these regulations or the bylaws.
Services not prohibited by Act, regulations or bylaws
21 In addition to the services set out in Section 164 of the Act, nothing in the Act, these
regulations or the bylaws prohibits the provision of the following services:
(a) the practice of dental hygiene by a licensed dental hygienist under the
Dental Hygienists Act or the Act;
(b) the practice of denturism by a licensed denturist under the Denturists Act or
the Act;
(c) the practice of dental technology by a licensed dental technologist under the
Dental Technicians Act or the Act;
(d) intra-oral suctioning, if it is performed in the presence of a licensed dentist
or licensed dental hygienist and in accordance with the standards of practice.
Restriction on use of title or designation in advertisement or publication
22 In any advertisement or publication, including business cards, websites and signage, that
refers to activities that fall within the scope of practice of dentistry or dental assisting, the
following restrictions apply:
(a) only a person who is authorized to do so by these regulations may use the
following alone or in combination with other words, letters or descriptions:
(i) the title of “dentist” or “dental assistant” or any other title or
designation protected by these regulations or the bylaws,
(ii) any derivation or abbreviation of the titles or designations described
in subclause (i);
(b) only a person who is authorized to do so under Section 16 may describe
their activities as “dentistry”;
(c) only a person who is authorized to do so under Section 17 may describe
their activities as “dental assisting”.
Inspections
Inspector
23 The registrar
(a) may appoint an inspector; and
(b) is an inspector.
Authority of inspector
24 (1) An inspector may do all of the following without notice, at any reasonable time
and without a court order:
(a) inspect premises where dentistry is practised, if the premises is under the
care and control of a dentist;
(b) inspect equipment, materials and anything else with which a person
practises dentistry or carries out duties and procedures delegated by a
registrant;
(c) inspect any of the following types of records:
(i) records of a dental practice, including client records,
(ii) records of a registrant concerning the registrant’s practice of
dentistry,
(iii) records located at premises where dentistry is practised,
(iv) records of a registrant relating to any of the following reimbursers of
the cost of dental services:
(A) a federal or Provincial government payment agency,
(B) an insurer;
(d) observe, inspect or audit the practice of dentistry or the carrying out of
duties and procedures in a dental practice, including the carrying out of
duties and procedures by or on behalf of a registrant.
(2) If a registrant or a person who is delegated duties and procedures by a registrant
misleads, obstructs or does not co-operate with an inspector while the inspector is
exercising the powers conferred upon them by these regulations, the registrar may
suspend the licence of the registrant until the misleading behaviour, obstruction or
lack of co-operation ceases.
Report by inspector
25 (1) The inspector must make a report setting out
(a) the findings of an inspection conducted under Section 24; and
(b) any recommendations.
(2) The registrar must provide a copy of the report described in subsection (1) to each
registrant whose premises, equipment or records are inspected.
Power of inspector to remove items
26 (1) An inspector may do all of the following at any reasonable time and without a
court order:
(a) remove a client record or other record from premises where dentistry is
practised for the purpose of copying or photographing the record if it is
impractical to make the copy or take the photograph on the premises;
(b) remove any of the following from premises where dentistry is practised:
(i) a dental model,
(ii) a dental prosthesis,
(iii) a dental instrument or material,
(iv) anything that, in the opinion of the inspector, is evidence of
professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming the profession,
incompetence, incapacity or a violation of the Act, these regulations,
the General Regulations or the bylaws.
(2) If an item is removed from premises where dentistry is practised under clause
(1)(b), it may be disposed of as directed by the registrar, complaints committee or
professional conduct committee unless the Court orders otherwise.
(3) An inspector must provide a registrant at premises where dentistry is practised with
a receipt listing all items removed from the premises where dentistry is practised
under subsection (1).
Fines
Professional conduct fine maximum
27 A fine imposed by the professional conduct committee under clause 110(1)(m) of the
Act must not exceed a maximum amount of $100 000.
Criminal Offences and Withdrawal or Suspension of Privileges
Criminal offence or suspension or withdrawal of privilege of applicant or registrant
28 In addition to the requirements of Section 61 of the Act and Section 60 of the General
Regulations, an applicant or registrant who is charged with, pleads guilty to or is
convicted of any offence under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) or its regulations or
who has privileges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) suspended
or withdrawn must immediately report the offence, suspension or withdrawal to the
registrar.
The following regulations are not
yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation: