In order to be registered and licensed to practice as a dental specialist in the province of Nova Scotia , the following requirements must be met and submitted:
1. A completed application form, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, with an attached current passport photo;
2. A certified copy of your graduation certificate from a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, or the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, or effective March 30, 2010, general dentistry programs accredited by CDAC or the Australian Dental Council (ADC), or effective December 15, 2011, general dentistry programs accredited by CDAC or the Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ), or effective December 5, 2012, general dentistry programs accredited by CDAC or the Irish Dental Council; This copy of the degree must be a certified photocopy of your graduation in dentistry.
3. A letter from the Dean certifying your graduation from the dental program;
4. A copy of your National Dental Examining Board generalist’s certificate;
5. Limited Specialty Certificate: Applicants who do not have the National Dental Examinining Board Certificate but have the National Dental Specialty Exam Certificate would upon successful registration be issued a Limited Specialty Certificate Limited to that specialty;
6. A certified copy of your graduate / post graduate degree, diploma or certificate in a specialty recognized by the Board from a post secondary educational institution in Canada or the United States whose specialty program is or has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada or the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation; This copy of the degree must be a certified photocopy of your graduation in dentistry.
7. Confirmation of successful completion of the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) administered by the RCDC, the Royal College of Dentists of Canada starting in 2024.
8. An applicant must provide a certified copy of their Canadian birth certificate, or Canadian citizenship card or proof of permanent Canadian residency status. If an applicant is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada then the applicant must provide details about their current citizenship status and a certified copy of the authorization issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada which permits them to engage in the practice of dentistry in Canada.
9. Translation of documents are the responsibility of the applicant.
10. Verification of active membership in the Nova Scotia Dental Association; please contact 902-420-0088 or visit the website at www.nsdental.org
11. Verification of malpractice insurance through CDSPI – minimum of $ 3 million coverage;
12. A Vulnerable Sector Search and a Criminal Record Check (Performed within the previous 12 months);
13. Two written and signed character references from non-family members who have known you for the past four years;
14. Payment of appropriate fees to the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia :
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$ 100.00 initial registration fee
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$ 1502.00 annual license fee (December 1 – November 30th)
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$ 751.00 if licensing after June 1st of any given year
15. If not a new graduate, one must have proof of continual practice defined as a minimum of 450 hours within the last three year preceding the date of application.
Payment of fees is accepted by Visa, Mastercard, cheque, cash, or money order only.
Please Note: License fees are non-refundable.
Licensing Process
The application form with all necessary and correct documentation is submitted to the Registrar for review.
The Provincial Dental Board will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment to meet with the Registrar to discuss their application.
In circumstances where the Registrar needs to obtain additional information the registration process will require additional time in order to complete.
Applicants cannot begin to practice without a license.
Successful applicants who meet all the requirements will be entered into the Dental Register and issued a license.
Applicants who have been declined licensure may appeal the Registrar's decision to the Registration Appeal Committee.