Q1. The CDSBC Bylaws require a certain number of practice hours over a three- year period. What three years are you referring to?

A. For renewal in 2010, the timeframe for continuous practice hours is slightly more than three years: January 1, 2007 - February 28, 2010. For subsequent years, the timeframe for continuous practice is as follows:

2011 Renewal: January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010
2012 Renewal: January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011
2013 Renewal: January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012

A. If a dentist or a CDA does not have the required number of hours for renewal of their practising registration/certification, or if they wish to transfer to practising status after being out for an extended period of time, they may submit a proposal to the Registration Committee (dentists) or the CDA Certification Committee (CDAs) outlining what they propose to do to demonstrate their competency. This might include successful completion of an exam, course, or other approved education and/or clinical mentorship. The Committees will approve proposals on an individual basis.

For dentists who do not have the required continuous practice hours, and wish to hold practising status, a letter should be submitted to the Registration Committee, outlining specific circumstances, along with a proposal for establishing competence, if applicable.

For CDAs who do not have the required continuous practice hours, a proposal may include: completion of the National Dental Assisting Examining Board two-part written exam and the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE), completion of an approved clinical refresher course, or a guided learning/mentorship in a dental practice with defined expectations.

Example: A guided learning/mentorship could be a formal written agreement entered into between a CDA and a dentist. The CDA first shadows an experienced CDA in the practice, then under direct supervision, begins to practice the services of a CDA. Once the CDA has been practising all of the permitted services and the dentist is confident that the CDA is competent to perform all services effectively, appropriately, and competently, and will provide written verification to CDSBC of this, the CDA could then be eligible for certification as a practising CDA. This process would not have a set time limit for completion, but would be based on the CDA demonstrating competency, skill and knowledge required for re-entry into practising certification.

A. No. The requirement for continuous practice applies to all dentists and CDAs, regardless of their individual circumstances. The underlying principle behind the continuous practice requirement is safety of the public. For this reason, dentists and CDAs who don’t meet the requirement (300 hours of practice for dentists over the previous three years; 200 hours for CDAs) will be unable to renew their practising registration/certification in 2010.

A. This will be dealt with on an individual basis. A dentist or CDA who is in this situation can apply to the appropriate committee (Registration Committee (dentists) or the CDA Certification Committee (CDAs) for a decision based on individual circumstances. It is expected that the Committees will be reasonable with their expectations in these types of situations.

A. The full continuous practice requirement – which takes effect in 2011 – works out to approximately 25 hours of work per month for dentists over a three-year period. For CDAs, it works out to approximately 17 hours of work per month over the three years.

For renewal in 2010, the number of practice hours required is even fewer. For dentists, it works out to slightly more than eight hours per month. For CDAs, it works out to approximately six hours per month over a three year period.

A. A dentist or a CDA may hold non-practising registration/ certification indefinitely.

It is only upon application to regain practising status, that the requirement to meet the Quality Assurance requirements in place at that time will be in effect. Note that after an extended absence of ten or more years, educational credentials may not be recognized.

A.Temporary certification and registration may be granted so the dentist or CDA may practice restricted activities during specific and accepted proposals.