Dental Assistants Continuing Competency
Continuing to learn and grow is essential to being a competent dental assistant.
Continuing Competency
Registered Dental Assistants in Saskatchewan have one of the broadest competency or skill list in Canada. It is based on formal education taken at a recognized program in dental assisting or dental program. Our document is reviewed regularly.
Since becoming a regulatory authority in 1998, the SDAA Curriculum and Credential SDAA have reviewed a significant number of requests relative to dental assistant practice. Some requests have been approved, others denied. A comprehensive reference of the committee decisions are compiled in report form.
Online Resources
Professional Development through Online Courses
Telehealth Education for Saskatchewan
Educational Opportunities through Telehealth
EDAA Home Study Courses
Home Study offered through the Edmonton Dental Assistants Association
Procter & Gamble Online Courses
Dental Care Online Courses offered at NO COST – set up a user ID and password and continue to take courses.
Viva Learning Online Courses
Viva Learning is an interactive web-based training – Dental Continuing education for dental assistants at NO COST
Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Partnership (SHIRP) Research Resource
Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Partnership (SHIRP) is a provincially funded electronic library that gives Saskatchewan’s health care practitioners including all oral health professionals, access to books, journals, and databases online at no cost. You can access these valuable information resources by visiting www.shirp.ca.
Information to contact the SHIRP resources
If you would like to know more about SHIRP or arrange for training on SHIRP resources, please contact the SHIRP librarian:
Contact:
Caitlin Peris, RD
SHIRP Coordinator
caitlin.peiris@usask.ca
306-966-1753
Infection Control
Infection Prevention & Control Standards for Saskatchewan
OSAP/DQP best practices For infection control In dental clinics during The covid-19 pandemic
This document provides a check-list for the dental clinic relative to screening, equipment and safe patient care. This document is specific to dealing with Covid-19 and was published in June 2020. As dentistry is considered to be a high-risk profession it is essential that the entire oral health team is engaged in keeping their patients and oral health care facility safe for everyone.
Flash Sterilization
How should items be stored following sterilization?
Sterile items and disposable (single-use) items should be stored in an enclosed storage area (e.g., cabinet or drawer). Dental supplies and instruments should not be stored under sinks or in other locations where they might become wet. Sterilized items should remain wrapped until they are needed for use. Unwrapped items are susceptible to contamination. Avoid storing items loose in drawers or cabinets because unwrapped items cannot be kept sterile. Items stored in this manner are subject to contamination from dust, aerosols generated during treatment, and the hands of personnel who must handle them.
Professional Responsibility During a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is difficult and challenging for our health care system. During a surge in COVID-19 cases, you may be required to adapt your usual practice. You may be asked to work in unfamiliar settings or outside of your typical role for the benefit of patients. You are not expected to practice beyond the professional scope of practice of your profession nor beyond your individual competence. As the province plans its response, your role is vital to patients receiving safe, competent and ethical care.
An infection control course must be taken annually and is a requirement for renewal and/or reinstatement.
Approved IPC courses include:
– Any approved IPC course required annually by your employer. upload a copy of the course certificate and confirm your employer’s approval
– Any one of the four no cost courses listed below that are available online:
a. Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Course offered through Alberta Health Services.
d. Looking to build or expand your knowledge in IPAC best practices?
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving method that can be used in a variety of scenarios where someone’s breathing or heartbeat have stopped, including heart attacks and near-drowning situations. Beginning CPR with rapid, forceful chest compressions is advised by the American Heart Association. First responders and inexperienced spectators alike should follow this advice for hands-only CPR.
In order to apply, renew or reinstate your license, you MUST have current CPR. While CPR C or BLS are preferred, any CPR course is accepted.
Proof of course completion and valid CPR certification is required. A current CPR certificate must be provided that notes the date certification is valid.
New Applicants
Graduates of dental assistant programs seeking registration in Saskatchewan must contact the SDAA office by telephone, mail or email. Our staff will provide you with information on our standards and will MAIL you an application form.
All applicants must:
- complete and sign an application form
- pay the appropriate fees
- provide copies of all your credentials
- If you have been previously registered/licensed by any dental assisting regulatory authority, a letter of good standing is required.
Please refer to the Labour Mobility Section for information on immigration.
Apply for a License
Please email the SDAA office for an application form, noting your desire to apply and providing information on your status as a new graduate, or as an individual transferring from another jurisdiction.
Unlicensed Staff
It is the understanding of the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association, that patient contact for unlicensed personnel in the dental office is limited to retraction, operation of A/W syringe and suctioning. Tooth brushing and flossing demonstrations would need to be “outside of the mouth” and it would be questionable that an untrained individual would have the knowledge to properly assess the client needs and teach these techniques.
Please note that “Protection ofTitles” is found in The Dental Disciplines Act on Page 16, Section 22 (4). This clearly states that the title “dental assistant” is reserved for individuals who are registered and licensed members of the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association. Some of the northern health districts are using the title “dental aide” as an identifier for their unlicensed staff.
Additionally, prohibitions are found in Section 24 {1); this clause prohibits anyone without qualifications from performing authorized practice. This section clarifies our position that the dental aide must restrict their intra oral activities to retraction, operation of the A/W syringe and suctioning.
Section 44 speaks to “Offence and Penalty”. This section related to the limitations on fines and imprisonment related to a summary conviction in which an individual was found guilty of section 22 or section 24.
Renewal
ALL SDAA licences expire on January 31 annually. Please complete your renewal on time, ensuring that you, your patients, and employer are properly protected. BEGINNING DECEMBER 15, YOU CAN LOGIN TO THE MEMBER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND COMPLETE YOUR RENEWAL!
Renewal Process
Members must login to the website and complete the online renewal process by clicking the Renew Now button. Please review your contact information and update as appropriate. If you see revisions that are required that are not accessible to you, please notify our office staff. Please ensure that your professional development requirements are completed prior to renewal. Once you select your licence type, the system will generate an invoice to your email. Please ensure that your payment is submitted promptly to the SDAA office via ETRANSFER or your personal online banking.
Reinstatement
This is applicable only to Lapsed Members ONLY, and at this time you must contact the SDAA office for instruction.
Please keep in mind that the transfer time for these payments can be two to three days. SUBMIT THE ONLINE RENEWAL FORM and MAKE YOUR ONLINE PAYMENT Credit cards are not accepted.
Changing Status
Professional Development requirements
Licensed “Registered Dental Assistants” (practice status) are required to obtain 15 professional development credits throughout the year. (effective January 1, 2015)
Non-practising members in their 4th are required to obtain 15 professional development credits prior to upgrading to practising status and one course must address infection control. Non-practice members must upgrade in their 5th year to practice status. Note: members holding practice status in another oral health profession may hold non-practice status indefinitely.
Please download a sign in/out form when attending professional development courses that are not sponsored by SDAA
Lifelong Learning in Dental Assisting
It is very important to stay current and up to date with the ever-changing technology, materials, and information being made available in the dental field. Continuing education is essential for all health care professionals to be able to maintain the highest standards of care and safety for their patients.
It is of upmost importance to be up to date with regards to:
- New infection control procedures
- New dental procedures
- New dental materials
- New dental equipment
- Information about new and current Diseases and things effecting the world currently
- Dietary and health related information regarding common diseases such as diabetes, cancer, MS, allergies, ADD, ADHD, autism, heart disease, stroke, epilepsy, etc.
The SDAA requires every dental assistant holding a practice status to acquire a minimum of 15 credits per year of professional development to maintain their licence. Each point is equivalent to 1 hour of professional development. These credits can be acquired by attending health related presentations, lunch and learn sessions, technology updates by qualified technicians, educational courses, dental modules, and internet training sessions.
Dental Assistants are required to UPLOAD certificates to their profile through the online portal OR mail in, email or fax information about the course and the signature of the course provider with the hours attended to:
Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association
307-845 Broad St
Regina, SK S4R 8G9
306-252-2769
306-252-2089 (fax)
sdaa@sasktel.net (email)
Current Fees
Practice Licence: $225
Non Practice Licence: $110
E-transfer payments to:
sdaapay@sasktel.net
On-line payments are available through
- Credit Unions
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
- Bank of Montreal
- Royal Bank
- Scotia Bank
- TD Canada Trust
Please keep in mind that the transfer time for these payments can be two to three days. SUBMIT THE ONLINE RENEWAL FORM and MAKE YOUR ONLINE PAYMENT Credit cards are not accepted.
Request A Letter of Good Standing
A Letter of Good Standing is a certification sent out by the Secretary of State’s office of a state (or comparable agency). It confirms that a registered business (such as an LLC or corporation) has adhered to all state regulations for doing business there. A firm is in “good standing” if it has filed all required state reports, obtained all necessary licenses and permits, paid all required state taxes and fees, and complied with all other statutory requirements for operating the business organization. In essence, a letter of good standing attests to a company’s compliance with business regulations.
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Certificate of Existence
- Certificate of Authorization
- Certificate of Status
- Certificate of Facts
Registration Renewal
Annual renewal opens early in November. The renewal deadline is January 30th.
