Continuous Practice Requirements and Re-licensure for Dental Professionals

Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia
POLICY


Criteria for Re-Licensure for Dentists, Dental Specialists and Dental Assistants
Not Meeting Continuous Practice Requirements


Purpose

This policy describes the criteria for re-licensure of dentists, dental specialists and dental assistants who do not meet continuous practice requirements for re-licensure according to the Dental Act and Regulations in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Interpretation
The phrases “former dentist”, “former dental specialist” and “former dental assistant” in this policy mean, in each case,  an individual who formerly held a license to practice as a dentist, as a dental specialist or as a dental assistant in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Dentists

A former dentist who:

(i) applies for re-licensure to practice dentistry in the Province of Nova Scotia; and

(ii) was previously licensed to practice dentistry in the Province of Nova Scotia; and

(iii)  has not engaged in the practice of dentistry for a minimum of 450 hours within the
immediately preceding three year period (calculated as of the time of annual license renewal); and

(iv)  otherwise meets the criteria set forth in the Dental Act and Regulations for licensure as
a dentist; is eligible for re-licensure as a dentist provided each of the following criteria are met:

(a) The former dentist holds a National Dental Examining Board Certificate; and

(b) The former dentist was in Good Standing when he or she ceased to practice; and
(c) The former dentist successfully completes the Assessment of Clinical Knowledge, the
Assessment of Clinical Skills, and the Assessment of Clinical Judgement examinations
administered by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada.

All costs incurred by the former dentist in establishing eligibility for re-licensure, including costs the former dentist incurs in taking the examinations noted above, are the sole responsibility of the dentist seeking re-licensure.


Dental Specialists

Limited Specialty Certificate

A former dental specialist who:

(i)  applies for re-licensure to practice a dental speciality in the Province of Nova Scotia;
and

(ii)  was previously a licensed dental specialist in the Province of Nova Scotia (within the
meaning of the Specialist Regulations pursuant to the Dental Act); and

(iii)  has not engaged in the practice of dentistry for a minimum of 450 hours within the
immediately preceding three year period (calculated as of the time of annual license renewal); and

(iv)  otherwise meets the criteria set forth in the Dental Act and Regulations for licensure
as a dental specialist; is eligible for re-licensure as a dental specialist pursuant to a Limited Specialty Certificate provided each of the following criteria are met:

(a) The former dental specialist holds a National Dental Examining Board Certificate;

(b) The former dental specialist holds a National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE)
Certificate or was licensed as a dental specialist prior to October 10, 2002;

(c) The former dental specialist was in Good Standing when he or she ceased to practice;
(d) The former dental specialist successfully completes Component II (Oral) Examination
administered by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

All  costs incurred by the former dental specialist in establishing eligibility for re-licensure, including costs the former dental specialist incurs in taking the examination noted above, are the sole responsibility of the former dental specialist.


Unlimited Specialty Certificate

A former dental specialist who:

(i)  applies for a re-licensure to practice a dental speciality in the Province of Nova
Scotia; and

(ii)  was previously a licensed dental specialist in the Province of Nova Scotia (within
the meaning of the Specialist Regulations pursuant to the Dental Act) and;

(iii)  has not engaged in the practice of dentistry for a minimum of 450 hours within
the immediately preceding three year period (calculated as of the time of annual license renewal); and

(iv)  otherwise meets the criteria set forth in the Dental Act and Regulations for
licensure as a dental specialist; is eligible for re-licensure as a dental specialist pursuant to an Unlimited Specialty Certificate provided each of the following criteria are met:

(a) the former dental specialist holds a National Dental Examining Board Certificate;
and
(b) the former dental specialist holds a National Dental Specialty Examination
(NDSE) Certificate or was licensed as a dental specialist prior to October 10,
2002; and

(c) the former dental specialist was in Good Standing when he or she ceased to
practice;  and

(d) the  former  dental  specialist  successfully  completes  Component  II  (Oral)
Examination administered by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada; and
(e) the former dental specialist successfully completes the Assessment of Clinical
Knowledge, the Assessment of Clinical Skills, and the Assessment of Clinical
Judgement examinations administered by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada.
All costs incurred by the former dental specialist in establishing eligibility for re-licensure with
an Unlimited Specialty Certificate, including costs the former dental specialist incurs in taking
the examinations noted above, are the sole responsibility of the former dental specialist.

Dental Assistants

A former licensed dental assistant who:

(i)  applies for re-licensure to practice dental assisting in the Province of Nova Scotia;
and

(ii)  was previously licensed to practice dental assisting in the Province of Nova Scotia;
and

(iii)  has not been engaged in the practice of dental assisting within the immediately
preceding five (5) year period; and

(iv)  otherwise meets the criteria for licensure as a dental assistant pursuant to the
Dental Act and Regulations;

is eligible for re-licensure as a dental assistant provided each of the following criteria are met:

(a) The former dental assistant holds a National Dental Assistant Examining Board
Certificate, or was licensed as a dental assistant prior to April 1, 2007; and
(b) The former dental assistant was in Good Standing when he or she cease to practice
dental assisting; and

(c) The former dental assistant:

i)  Successfully    completes    an    Intra    Oral    Upgrade/Refresher    Course
administered by a dental assisting education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC); or

ii)  Successfully challenges the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) administered by
the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB).

All costs incurred by the former dental assistant in establishing eligibility for re-licensure, including costs the former dental assistant incurs in taking the examinations noted above, are the sole responsibility of the former dental assistant.


Approved by the Board:  May 30, 2014

Revised: May 29, 2015

Continuous Practice Requirement and Re-licensure