Regulation
You must have a practical understanding about the laws and rules that are relevant to your practice and be able to apply that knowledge.
You should have working knowledge of the laws and rules. For example, how/where to access them, the topics they cover and how to use them.
Regulation
In Saskatchewan a dental assistant is a practitioner; registered and licenced by the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association. Registration is mandatory. The SDAA is the regulatory body that sets the requirements for registration. The SDAA is also responsible for development, monitoring and the evaluation of professional standards. This includes areas such as practice requirements, discipline, professional development and quality assurance. Completion of the registration procedures allows the dental assistant to use the title “Dental Assistant” or “Registered Dental Assistant” and the initials “DA” or “RDA”.
Regulated members are issued an annual licence to practice (practice permit) which must be displayed at their place of employment. Dental assistants holding a practice licence must participate in professional development opportunities annually. Those holding “practice licences” are required to achieve a minimum of 15 hours of professional development each year. Note: professional development requirements are pro-rated to 9 for those registering/reinstating after June 15 annually.
The membership year for dental assistants in Saskatchewan is February 1 to January 31 annually.
Common Causes of Unprofessional Conduct
Providing services not licensed to offer Failing to keep up to date on current educational practices, equipment and supplies to ensure it is all used and maintained properly for the safety and quality of patient care Any unsafe or incompetent practice If the public is in danger as a result of the practitioner suffering from a physical or mental disease or ailment Emotional or cognitive disturbances Addiction to drugs or alcohol Sexual misconduct
The Duty To Report
Health professionals have an ethical, professional and legal responsibility to report any unsafe practice or unprofessional conduct of any other regulated health practitioner
- Providing services not licensed to offer
- Failing to keep up to date on current educational practices, equipment and supplies to ensure it is all used and maintained properly for the safety and quality of patient care
- Any unsafe or incompetent practice
- If the public is in danger as a result of the practitioner suffering from a physical or mental disease or ailment
- Emotional or cognitive disturbances
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol
- Sexual misconduct
2. Who can be reported?
All professionals who belong to a regulatory college are legally required to report a professional with in their own regulatory body or another professional regulatory body.
3. Unsure whether something is reportable:
There are reasonable and probable grounds to believe there are unsafe practices being done. There are reliable suspicions with evidence to support a belief.
There are reliable suspicions with evidence to support a belief.
4. What to do?
Contact the college of the professional in question to inquire about what to do. Find out if it is necessary to provide a formal report. Not all inquiries will turn into formal reports.
5. Can you be sued for reporting?
No.
Most regulatory colleges provide immunity to health professionals who comply with the duty to report as long as the report was made in good faith and is based on reasonable and probable grounds.
However, if a professional is reported in bad faith without reasonable and probable grounds, they are subject to discipline for unprofessional conduct.
6. What if I know something but don’t report it?
A health professional would be in violation of the law if they do not report a practitioner under their legal, professional, and ethical responsibility to report.
A health professional could be subject to disciplinary measures given by their regulatory college and could also be subject to a complaint filed by the college.
7. Am I protected confidentially if I report a colleague or other health care professional?
No college can guarantee complete anonymity particularly if it leads to a formal hearing.
8. What happens to the health care professional if they have been reported to their regulatory college?
The complaint will be investigated and reports will be submitted. Medical monitoring may be put in place if warranted.
Public safety is the primary concern but regulatory bodies also strive to maintain respect, dignity, and privacy for the health care professional.
**Documentation is very important with any Unprofessional Conduct complaint. Ensure that documentation is accurate, legible, in chronological order, dated, and signed in INK. If the complaint is made by a patient or you believe a patient may complain, ensure everything is documented in their chart in the same format.
Saskatchewan Self-Regulating Health Professions
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is responsible for appointing members of the public to self-regulate health professional associations.
Licensing and regulating certain health professions assures accountability by:
Ensuring that the health professional is qualified to practice;
Setting standards of practice and a code of ethics that the health professional must follow;
Requiring the health professional to be registered and licensed to use the title of the profession and perform certain services
Ensuring complaints about the professional are investigated and disciplinary action taken if necessary.
If you are concerned about the conduct of a health professional, you may wish to:
Discuss the problem with the individual. Concerns sometime result from a misunderstanding or inadequate communication between you and the health provider.
Speak with their supervisor or an agency representative.
Contact the Regional Quality of Care coordinator, if the professional works for a health region. A Quality of Care coordinator helps individuals or families with concerns about health services delivered in his/her region.
Note: If there is more than one dentist in the office, approach the other dentist about your concerns. He or she may be able to address your concerns and make the appropriate calls to the regulatory bodies to make a report.
Regulatory Contacts
College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan
#201- 1 st Avenue S
1202 The Tower at Midtown
Saskatoon SK S7K 4H7
Phone: 306-244-5072
www.saskdentists.com
Dental Technicians Association of Saskatchewan
Box 8035
Saskatoon SK S7K 4R7
Phone: 306-764-5525
www.dtas.ca
Denturist Society of Saskatchewan
109 – 2995 2nd Avenue West
Prince Albert, SK S6V SV5
Phone: 1-855-633-6875
www.saskdenturists.ca
Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association
307-845 Broad St.
Regina, SK S4R 8G9
Phone: 306-252-2769
www.sdaa.sk.ca
Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists’ Association
Unit 320 – 350 3rd Ave N
Saskatoon, SK S7K 6G7
Phone: 306-931-7342
www.sdha.ca
Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association
Box 360 (2364 Proton Avenue)
Gull Lake SK SON 1A0
Phone: 306-672-3699
www.sdta.ca
Saskatchewan Legislation
This Act may be cited as The Dental Disciplines Act
Regulatory Bylaws
The Regulatory Bylaws of the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association (September 6, 2006) as cited are repealed and replaced by the following certified true copy of the bylaws finalized by the Council of the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association on January 31, 2009.
Administrative Bylaws
Financial regulations, responsibilities and tasks of council members and periods, election procedures, and meetings are all covered by administrative bylaws.
Professional Conduct and Discipline
DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS
As a self-regulated profession, the Saskatchewan Dental Assistants Association has the responsibility and authority to investigate any complaints that are lodged relative to Registered Dental Assistants. The complaint must be in writing and signed. The dental assistant is advised of the complaint and asked to respond. Once the necessary documentation is acquired, the complaint is referred to a Professional Conduct Committee who interview the complainant, the dental assistant and other individuals as required. If there is sufficient evidence to warrant a hearing, the Discipline Committee is requested to convene a hearing. Rulings of the committee will be posted in accordance with the SDAA Regulatory Bylaws.
Code of Ethics
he Code of Ethics of the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association is intended for use in the practice of dental assisting as a guide for professional conduct and for ethical decisions.
The Code of Ethics reflects the values of the profession of dental assisting based on the principles of veracity, integrity and respect. The Code is intended for application in all clinical, educational, administrative and institutional settings. It is the obligation of all dental assistants to be familiar with the Code and incorporate its guidelines and obligations in their practice. Adherence to the Code will maintain public trust in our profession.
By endorsing and complying with the Code of Ethics, dental assistants will ensure that ethical commitments to patients, the public, community and the profession are fulfilled. The Code shall be a guideline to augment the licensing/certifying and regulating policies within each federal, provincial and territorial jurisdiction.
PRACTICE OF A DENTAL ASSISTANT
As multi-skilled professionals, dental assistants possess a diverse knowledge base and apply clinical skills, administrative principles and practitioner autonomy through assignment and delegation of duties within provincial legislation. Dental assistants communicate effectively and collaborate with all members of the oral health care team in the delivery of patient-centred care. Dental assistants are educated professionals who maintain technical competence through advanced or continuing education.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO PATIENTS
Confidentiality
The dental assistant shall protect and maintain the confidentiality of all patient records and respect a patient’s right to privacy and dignity within legal limits and professional responsibilities. Further, they will ensure that all confidential and proprietary information acquired in the course of duty is used solely in the patients’s best interests.
Informed Consent
The primary health care provider may delegate to the assistant the responsibility to explain treatment recommendations to the patient. The dental assistant will provide information to the extent of their knowledge to assist the patient in understanding the proposed treatment options. The dental assistant will obtain informed consent, respect the patient’s autonomy and their right of choice.
Dental Jurisprudence
Dental assistants shall endorse and uphold their legal obligations (local, provincial, territorial and federal) as they pertain to dentistry and the laws of Canada.
The relationship between the dental patient and the dental assistant is one of trust, morality and responsibility. The dental assistant will uphold these fiduciary responsibilities and protect the best interests of the patient at all times.
In all clinical, educational, institutional and emergency situations, the dental assistant shall maintain the standards of care in a reasonable, prudent, and professional manner.
Acts of omission and commission that cause injury or harm to a patient will be considered professional negligence.
Accountability
The dental assistant has an ethical responsibility for all procedures performed by them during the delivery of patient care. Full disclosure of any problems arising during the provision of care is required.
Comfort and Welfare
The dental assistant shall provide optimum oral health and comfort to all patients with a focus on the health, welfare and security of the person.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY
Human Rights
The dental assistant will uphold the principles of dignity, equity, fairness and respect for all individuals.
Environmental Protection
The dental assistant will take every measure in thefulfillment of their duties to minimize their impact on the environment and to promote environmentally friendly practices.
Community Participation
The dental assistant will contribute, through education and service, to promotional activities and initiatives designed to advance oral and general health care knowledge and service.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROFESSION
Equality Among Professionals
The dental assistant shall assume the responsibilities and ethical obligations required to provide and promote quality oral health care and service.
The dental assistant shall be open and honest in all relationships with members of the oral health care team, and the public.
Representation
Dental assistants are recognized by the public as a distinct health care profession. Therefore the dental assistant has a responsibility to uphold the highest principles and standards of the profession, promoting the profession in the advancement of quality oral health care and service.
Professional Conduct
The dental assistant will perform, to the highest standards, only those duties within assigned authority as outlined in licensing/certifying and regulating legislation within the provincial, territorial or federal jurisdictions governing professionals.
Dental assistants shall endeavour to protect the profession, the oral health care team and members of the public by reporting to regulatory authorities all actions which contravene provincial, territorial or federal jurisdictions.
The dental assistant has an obligation to maintain membership, to support and participate in the initiatives of the local, provincial and national professional associations. The dental assistant will maintain and comply with legislation/ regulation and relevant continuing education requirements to remain in good standing with their representative professional bodies and regulatory authorities.
The dental assistant shall not compromise the reputation of the profession by dishonest or illegal behaviour and shall not misrepresent qualifications or abilities in the fulfilment of their duties and obligations.
Independent Functioning and Autonomy
The dental assistant shall assume all responsibility for functions legally delegated to dental assistants within their respective provincial, territorial and federal jurisdictions. The dental assistant will promote a scope of practice suited to the knowledge and experience attained or attainable by members of the profession and always in the interest of patient welfare.
Collaborative Relationships
The dental assistant will co-operate with all members of the oral health care team in the best interests of patient health and welfare.
Contributions
The dental assistant will support the mission, goals and objectives of their local, provincial, and national associations. Dental assistants will contribute time, skill, talent and expertise to these associations throughout their careers, for the betterment of successive generations of professional dental assistants.
Technological Advances and Continuing Education
The dental assistant will maintain continued competence, theoretical knowledge and awareness of technological advancements through education programs, professional literature and peer associations.
The dental assistant will maintain and practice the highest standards of competence and proficiency in the performance of their duties and will encourage the sharing of new methods, education and knowledge.
Research
The dental assistant will support and pursue legitimate research as it pertains to the profession of dental assisting, and the advancement of oral health.
Position Statements
Tobacco And Oral Health
There is little doubt of the risks associated with tobacco usage. Smoking is associated with tooth loss associated with periodontal disease and many kinds of cancer. As oral health professionals, dental assistants have the responsiblity to inform our patients about the risks associated with tobacco usage and the supports available to those who seek to quit.
Free Sugar
Free sugar is defined by the World Health Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in multiple reports as “all monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods by the manufacturer, cook, or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices”.
