Dental Disciplines Act Amended To Allow Three Professions To Practice Independently

Released on November 18, 2021

The Government of Saskatchewan is introducing legislation that will allow dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental assistants to practice independently within their scope of practice.

The Dental Disciplines Amendment Act, 2021 (the Act) introduced today in the Saskatchewan legislature will repeal section 25 of the current Act, which prohibits members of these three professions from practising independently of dentists.

"The amendment will expand the ability of these dental professionals to provide services and will make it possible for the public to select their provider of choice," Health Minister Paul Merriman said. "It will also create opportunities to develop dental service delivery models to improve public access to dental care, especially in rural and remote areas."

Consultations on the proposed changes were conducted with a large number of stakeholders including dental professional regulators in the province, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other employers listed in the Act.

The changes will bring Saskatchewan in line with other Canadian jurisdictions.

The Dental Disciplines Act governs six of the regulated dental professions in Saskatchewan: dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants, dental technicians and denturists. The Act has provisions that prescribe authorized practices for each of these professions.

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