Standards of Practice Consultation
Consultation is open May 11 - 25.
Find more information, access the DRAFT standards of practice, and provide feedback here: Standards of Practice Consultation: May 2023.
Changes to Regulatory Documents
March 31, 2023
The College of Dental Technologists of Alberta (CDTA) Council and the Government of Alberta have approved amendments to the Dental Technologists Profession Regulation, which come into force on March 31, 2023.
These amendments are part of the ongoing work relating to Bill 46, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (No. 2), which introduced changes to the Health Professions Act (HPA).
Read More: Bill 46: Changes to Regulatory Documents
Canada Dental Benefit Program
The Government of Canada will be launching an interim Canada Dental Benefit program on December 1, 2022.
Under the first stage of the Canada Dental Benefit program families with income of under $90,000 will qualify for coverage for eligible children under 12 years old. This program would provide payments of up to $650 per child. While the program launches on December 1, 2022 expenses can be claimed for dental services after October 1, 2022.
Find out more information: Canada Dental Benefit Program
NEW: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidelines
In early 2020, the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta, College of Alberta Denturists, College of Alberta Dental Assistants, and the College of Registered Dental Hygienists undertook a project to collaborate on the development of common Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines. These common Guidelines support the professions by providing a consistent standard for oral health care professionals in Alberta.
The Guidelines support dental technologists and dental technicians by:
- identifying principles
- giving instructions
- offering information and direction
- providing a framework for decision making
In November 2021, as a part of the consultation process, an earlier draft of these Guidelines was shared with you. Regulated members were encouraged to provide feedback at that time. The development process included an IPC subject matter experts and collecting feedback from regulated members of all the participating colleges to ensure that the guidelines fulfilled the colleges' mandate of protecting the public.
Following the New Guidelines
The new IPC Guidelines go into effect today, June 1, 2022. You are expected to read, understand, and to begin taking the necessary steps to implement and adhere to the Guidelines.
Each regulated member is responsible to familiarize themselves with the Guidelines and ensure that the IPC program in their workplace complies with the Guidelines following the implementation schedule.
Dental Technologists and Dental Technicians are responsible to know and understand all sections of the document and implement all requirements that apply to their individual practice and practice setting regardless of employment status.
Understanding the New Guidelines
The Colleges created the Guidelines based on the best evidence and the most current data. As such, the IPC Guidelines are dynamic and intended to reflect current best practices. It is required that you follow the Guidelines, and that you adjust current workplace IPC practices if you find that your current practice does not meet or exceed the Guidelines.
To ensure that you understand the new Guidelines, you are encouraged to:
- read them thoroughly more than once
- print them off and keep a copy in your practice
- discuss the new guidelines with your colleagues
- compare the new guidelines to your office's existing policies and procedures and
- use them to develop updated policies and procedures, if necessary
Questions?
Contact the College office:
Email: tara@cdta.ca
Phone: 780-469-0615
June 1, 2022