Advice to the Profession and Frequently Asked Questions

As part of CDTA’s ongoing commitment to public protection and professional excellence, we’re highlighting the importance of informed consent in dental technology. This key aspect of ethical practice supports patient autonomy and professional accountability, especially for those with restricted activities authorization.

Learn more about informed consent and your responsibilities as a regulated member by reviewing the full article here.

The College’s mandate is to protect the public by ensuring that Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians provide safe, ethical, and competent dental technology care and services. 

Global trade and the development of novel technologies have provided Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians with the opportunity to source novel products, devices, and materials manufactured both in and outside of Canada. 

The College of Dental Technologists of Alberta does not regulate medical devices, this advice to the profession is intended to provide information to assist regulated members in navigating the use, sale, and licensure of medical devices in Canada. 

In Canada, medical device licensure is managed by Health Canada. 

Medical Devices and Types of Licences 

Medical devices are used in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of a medical condition. They can include a variety of devices that Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians may encounter such as dentures, bridges, crowns, resins, denture coatings, prosthodontic appliances, artificial teeth, denture repair kits, and materials used in the fabrication of prosthetic and orthodontic devices and appliances. 

Health Canada is the government agency that licenses medical devices. Although many medical devices may be cross-licensed in the United States by the FDA, medical devices must be licensed by Health Canada to be approved for use and sale in Canada. FDA approval does not imply approval by Health Canada. 

There are two types of licenses issued by Health Canada.: 

1. Medical Device Licence : licence for the medical device itself 

2. Medical Device Establishment Licence : licence for the establishment (company) that manufactures a medical device. 

Medical devices are categorized as Class I, II, III, or IV based on the risks associated with their use, including the degree of invasiveness, duration of contact with the patient, energy transmission hazard, and consequences of device malfunction or failure. 

Quick Facts Links: 

• Refer to Health Canada’s guidance document to quickly determine what class a device falls under: Keyword Index to Assist Manufacturers in Verifying the Class of Medical Devices.
• Search for active medical device licenses before purchasing or using any medical devices on Health Canada’s website. For Class II, III, and IV licences: Medical Devices Active Licence website.
• Search for active medical device establishment licences: Medical Device Establishment Licence website.
• The sale or use of prohibited medical devices or materials not licenced by Health Canada is in breach of the Medical Devices Regulations. 

Medical Device/Establishment Licensure & Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians 

The Medical Devices Regulation defines establishment licence exemptions for persons who are exempt from holding a Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) under the Medical Devices Regulations to import into or sell a medical device in Canada. 

Dispensers (as defined in section 1 of the Medical Devices Regulations) means a person who is a member of a professional governing body and who is entitled, by virtue of their membership in that body, to manufacture or adapt a medical device in accordance with a health care professional’s written directions in order to meet the specific requirements of a patient. 

• Anyone importing or selling devices only for use by animals (the label of the device must state that it is for use by animals).
• Anyone importing or selling only medical devices subject to parts 2 and 3 of the Medical Devices Regulations, including:
  • custom-made devices
  • medical devices for special access
  • medical devices for investigational testing involving human subjects (clinical trials) 

Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians may be considered dispensers as defined in section 1 of the Medical Devices Regulations and may therefore be exempt from holding an MDEL to import or sell a medical device in Canada according to the Medical Devices Regulations.

The College's role and authority under the Health Professions Act is limited to regulating the practice of dental technology by its regulated members and does not extend to regulating businesses, including dental laboratories. 

For questions regarding Medical Device or Medical Device Establishment Licensing in Canada specific to an individual business, dental laboratory, or other practice setting, Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians must contact Health Canada directly.

In Alberta, the titles "Dental Technologist" and "Dental Technician" both refer to regulated health professionals in the field of dental technology, and both are regulated members of the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta. While these titles share similarities and there is some overlap in their roles, there are important distinctions in terms of scope of practice.

Both Dental Technologists (RDTs) and Dental Technicians (DTs) are essential members of the oral healthcare team, working to create high-quality, customized dental prosthetics and appliances that support patient care.

It is important for both regulated members and employers to understand the distinctions between the roles of Dental Technologists and Dental Technicians. For more information, please click here.

• We are a regulatory college established under the Health Professions Act (HPA), responsible for regulating the profession of dental technology in the public interest. This is done by overseeing and directing the practice of Dental Technologists (RDTs) and Dental Technicians (DTs) to ensure Albertans receive safe, competent, and ethical oral health care
• Under the HPA, we are responsible for regulating Dental Technologists (RDTs) and Dental Technicians (DTs).
• The Alberta Government and the Health Professions Act (HPA) give us the authority and mandate to act as the regulator for the profession of dental technology. 

The CDTA is responsible for: 

• Approving dental technology education programs.
• Setting entry-to-practice requirements. 
• Issuing annual permits to enable Dental Technologists (RDTs) and Dental Technicians (DTs) to practice.
• Establishing and enforcing a mandatory Continuing Competence Program for RDTs and DTs. 
• Developing and enforcing standards of practice, guidelines, and a code of ethics we expect from RDTs and DTs. 
• Acting on complaints about the conduct of RDTs and DTs and holding registrants accountable for their conduct. 

The College of Dental Technologists of Alberta (CDTA) is a self-regulating profession pursuant to the Health Professions Act of Alberta (HPA). The CDTA Council governs the College in the public interest, on behalf of its registrants. Council's primary focus is to set the organizational goals and direction for the College, which are then implemented by the Registrar.  

The CDTA Council sets the College’s strategic direction and develops the policies and standards to ensure the College is meeting its mandate to protect and act in the best interest of the public. The Council governs the College by focusing on strategy and setting goals and performance measures. The Council governs according to the Health Professions Act (HPA), other legislative regulations, and the bylaws while abiding by regulatory and governance policies and procedures.

Registration, Education, and Competence Committee: This committee has the authority to make decisions about registration applications. The committee reports to and makes recommendations to Council on other registration, education and continuing competence issues. This includes registration, entry-to practice assessment (examination) and continuing competence policies of the College.

Finance Committee: The Finance Committee helps to manage the budget, fees, expenditures and financial policies of the College which is ultimately set by Council.

Appointment Committee: The Appointment Committee is a governance committee that helps to facilitate the selection and appointment of regulated members to the CDTA Council.  The Committee reports to and provides recommendations to the Council.

Complaint Review Committees (CRC)  and Hearing Tribunal Members: As part of its responsibilities under the Health Professions Act (HPA), the College maintains a roster of regulated members to serve on Complaint Review Committees (CRC) and Hearing Tribunals (HT). These committees and tribunals play a critical role in supporting the College's obligations related to professional conduct matters, ensuring that dental technologists and technicians are held to the highest standards of practice. 

It is the professional responsibility of Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians to know, understand and adhere to the laws and rules that are relevant to their practice. 

Standard of Practice: Define the minimum level of professional performance that Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians are expected to demonstrate to ensure competent, safe and ethical practice. 

Code of Ethics: Set of principles of professional conduct that all Registered Dental Technologists and Registered Dental Technicians are expected to meet or exceed. 

Guidelines: Mandate that all RDTs and DTs must be registered to practice, adhere to strict ethical standards, and maintain competency. Key obligations include prioritizing patient safety, operating within scope (fabricating/repairing devices), and completing 60 hours of professional development every five years. 

Access the Regulatory Documents and Practice Resources page for more information. 

Health Professions Act (HPA):  The HPA provides colleges with the authority to regulate their professions. The HPA establishes a common regulatory framework across regulated health professions in Alberta.

The Health Professions Act Handbook summarizes the HPA and is intended to act as a guide to the principles and provisions of the HPA. It is not a substitute for the HPA and registrants are encouraged to review the HPA directly. 

There are a number of regulations under the Health Professions Act. Each regulated health profession has its own regulation that sets the profession-specific requirements: 

• The Dental Technologists Profession Regulation regulates the Dental Technology Profession under the Health Professions Act (HPA).

• The Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation (HPRAR) establishes which restricted activities each regulated health profession may be authorized to perform.  Find out more information about 

  restricted activities in Dental Technology. 

Other Legislation Affecting the Practice of Dental Technologists & Dental Technicians:

Health Information Act

Health Information Act Guidelines and Practice Manual

Health Information Regulation

Personal Information Protection Act

Public Health Act

Occupational Health and Safety

Restricted activities are regulated health services regulated by law that can only be performed by individuals who are authorized to perform them. Restricted activities are outlined in Part 0.1 of the Act. Restricted activities may only be performed by a person who is a regulated member of a college under the Act and who have been authorized by the respective college to perform a restricted activity.

The Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation establishes which restricted activities can be performed by Dental Technologists and Dental Technicians and further defines the additional training requirements necessary to apply for restricted activities authorization. Dental Technologists and Dental Technicians must always restrict themselves to performing only those restricted activities which they are authorized, and competent to perform, and that are appropriate to the regulated member's area of practice.  

Not all Dental Technologists and Dental Technicians are authorized to perform restricted activities.  If a Dental Technologist or Dental Technician is authorized, it will show on the General Registry and their practice permit.

Access the Restricted Activities in Dental Technology page for more information. 

• As a requirement for ongoing registration, RDT’s and DT’s must consistently maintain and enhance their competence in the profession of dental technology.
• All registrants on the general register are required to complete 24 continuing competence hours every 24 months. Credits are awarded on an hour-for-hour basis unless otherwise indicated.
• Registrants must report program credits into the CDTA database through the member portal on the College’s website within 90 days of completion of a learning activity. 

Access the Continuing Competence Program  page for more information.

The CDTA is committed to empowering RDT’s and DT’s to maintain and enhance their competence as defined by the Act. 

The goal of the Continuing Competence Program is to: 

•  Promote continuing competence and continuing quality improvement among registrants
• Address changes in practice environments and advances in technology
• Incorporate standards of practice, changes made to entry to practice competencies and other relevant issues identified by the CDTA Council
• Ensure that RDTs and DTs meet new standards that result from innovation, technological advancement and changes in the profession over time; and
• Empower RDTs and DTs to strive for continuous self-improvement. 

Access the Continuing Competence Program  page for more information.

Registrants must retain a personal record of program credits and all relevant supporting documentation related to reported learning activities for a minimum of 5-years. Areas of learning activities include:

1) Academic Learning 

2) Credits Awarded for Academic Learning Program credits are granted accordingly 

3) Self-Directed/Independent Study Self-Directed/Independent learning activities 

4) Learning records for Self-Directed Study

5) Credits Awarded for Self-Directed/Independent 

Access the Continuing Competence Program  page for more information.

Registrants can upload proof of program credits as follows: 

• Step 1: log on to “My Account” at www.cdta.ca
• Step 2: Click on “My CDTA CE Documents”
• Step 3: Upload CE certificate: SAVE

Guide: Uploading Continuing Competence Activity Records

If you decide a formal complaint is needed:

•  Complete the complaint reporting form with as much detail as possible (please type or print).
• Sign and date the form.
• Attach any additional documents to support the complaint (Patient records, proof of authority, etc.) Only attach key documents. We will advise you if we require more information.
• Submit the complaint reporting form and supporting documents to the Complaints Director by email @ complaintsdirector@cdta.ca 

Access the Professional Conduct page for more information.

You should feel comfortable approaching a Dental Technologist/Technician regarding any concern related to their conduct or competence to practice. If the conversation proves to be unsuccessful, you may file a formal complaint with the College. If the issue relates to business practices, financial matters (pricing, billings, warranty, and refunds) your concern should be directed to the laboratory/practice owner as the College of Dental Technologists has no jurisdiction.

Access the Professional Conduct page for more information.

When a signed complaint is received, the Complaints Director will:

• Verify that the individual(s) named in the complaint was registered and held a practice permit with the CDTA on the date(s) in question, or that no more than two years have passed since they were registered.
• Review all information received. Further communication with the parties involved may occur.
• The CDTA will contact the registrant in question and provide them with a copy of the complaint. The complainant's name, but not their personal contact information will be provided.
• Contact other individuals named in your complaint form who may have information relevant to your complaint. They may receive a copy of your complaint form and attachments.
• Within 30 days, provide you with a written response. The registrant will also receive a copy. 

Access the Professional Conduct page for more information.

Under the Health Professions Act (HPA), the Complaints Director has several options for handling complaints:   

• The complaint may be dismissed if evidence does not support the complaint or there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
• The complaint may be directed to investigation and may go to a formal hearing, which may result in discipline.
• The Complaints Director may request the complainant make reasonable attempts to resolve the concern directly with the registrant or with the registrant’s employer. If the result is unsuccessful the complaint can be re-submitted.
• The Complaints Director may speak to the complainant and the registrant to see if an expedited alternate resolution is an option.

Access the Professional Conduct page for more information.