The Dentistry and Dental Assisting Regulations (N.S. Reg. 83/2025) were established under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) to amend the regulatory framework governing the professions of dentistry and dental assisting in Nova Scotia. These regulations officially transition oversight from the previous 1992 Dental Act to a new regime consistent with the RHPA, which promotes professional regulation across multiple health disciplines under a common legislative structure.

The regulations reaffirm the Regulator’s authority to create bylaws under several clauses of the RHPA, including areas related to scope of practice, professional conduct, and public representation. Importantly, the Regulator must include between three and four public representatives on its Board, and each registration or licensing review panel must include at least one registrant from the relevant profession.

The scope of practice provisions for dentistry and dental assisting reflect an emphasis on competency-based and evidence-informed care. Dentistry’s scope of practice is defined broadly to encompass assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and management of diseases and disorders affecting the orofacial complex. It also includes related functions such as health promotion, research, interprofessional collaboration, administration, advocacy, and regulation, provided these are grounded in approved education or competency frameworks established by the Board.

Similarly, dental assisting involves the application of specialized knowledge and skills, always under the supervision of another regulated health professional—typically a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. The services permitted include assisting with intra-oral procedures, offering oral hygiene education, providing dietary counselling related to oral health, and other functions specified in bylaws or competency documents. The assistant must work on-site under supervision, ensuring patient safety and quality control.

A critical feature of the regulations is the authorization for the Regulator to define specific scopes of practice and associated title protections for each designation or licensing category, which may be set out in bylaws.

Regarding registration and licensing, the regulations outline the full set of criteria applicants must meet to be entered into the practising register. Categories of practising licences include dentist and dental assistant practising licences, with allowances for additional categories as determined by bylaw. Conditional licences are also established, such as for academic, graduate student, or other transitional circumstances, offering flexibility for various pathways into the profession.

By focusing on competencies, transparency, public representation, and interprofessional accountability, the framework aims to strengthen public trust, ensure high-quality care, and support a responsive health regulatory system.

Nova Scotia (83/2025) May 16, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.