Continuous Practice Requirement

The CDSBC Bylaws contain a requirement for “currency of practice,” meaning that in order to work in B.C., dentists and CDAs must maintain current practice in dentistry, which includes dental education, dental research and the provision of clinical care. Dentists need 900 hours of continuous practice over three years while CDAs need 600 hours.

Note that continuous practice is different from CE. The CE requirements for dentists and CDAs remain the same.

This requirement will be phased in over two years. By March 1, 2010, dentists must have undertaken 300 hours of continuous practice within the previous three years in order to renew their registration as a practising dentist. By March 1, 2010, CDAs must have undertaken 200 hours of continuous practice within the previous three years in order to renew their certification as a practising CDA.

For those who do not meet the requirements, options will be considered on an individual basis.

For renewal in 2011, however, the requirement will be fully implemented as written in the CDSBC Bylaws. Dentists and CDAs will be required to achieve the minimum number of practice hours in the previous three years (900 for dentists and 600 for CDAs) in order to renew their registration/certification as a practising dentist or practising CDA.