Policies for Licensees

Policy on Sexual Harassment

The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia recognizes that harassment of a sexual nature is unacceptable under all circumstances. The Board has a responsibility to require that all dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and all other persons working in dental workplaces in Nova Scotia conduct themselves appropriately.

Complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace will be pursued through the Board's discipline process. A charge may be laid and, if upheld, will result in a finding of unprofessional conduct and sanctions imposed by the Discipline Committee.
The Board's discipline process will also pursue a complaint of sexual harassment, which is alleged or substantiated to have occurred outside the dental workplace. If the Registrar is satisfied that a threat to a healthy workplace exists, a charge will be laid. If upheld, the result will be a finding of either unprofessional or infamous conduct and sanctions imposed by the Discipline Committee.

Employers are responsible for providing a working environment that is free of sexual harassment. They are accountable for the conduct of their employees. In addition, they have a responsibility to take corrective measures in the event of inappropriate conduct of patients or other visitors.

Provision of General Anesthesia in the Dental Office - January 2008

Definitions

General anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness accompanied by partial or complete loss of protective reflexes including inability to maintain an airway independently and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command.

Dental office refers to treatment areas outside of accredited hospital facilities.

Education and Training Requirements

General Anesthesia must only be performed in the dental office by:

  1. Licensed dentists registered to practice in Nova Scotia who have successfully completed an accredited post-graduate anesthesia program in a university and / or teaching hospital over a minimum of 24 consecutive months.
  2. Licensed dentists registered to practice in Nova Scotia who had successfully completed a post-graduate anesthesia program in a university and / or teaching hospital over a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to 1993 and have continued to practice these modalities since that time.  The program must have specifically evaluated and attested to the competency of the individual.
  3. Licensed dentists registered to practice in Nova Scotia who have successfully completed an accredited post-graduate program in oral and maxillofacial surgery suitable for certification in the Province of Nova Scotia, incorporating adequate training in anesthesia, such that the individual competence has been specifically evaluated and attested to.
  4. Licensed physicians registered to practice in Nova Scotia who holds a fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in anesthesiology.

General Anesthesia Permit

All dental offices where general anesthesia is administered must have a permit from the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia.  Such a permit will be granted subject to satisfactory on site evaluations of the facilities, office protocols and equipment by an expert panel approved by the Provincial Dental Board.

Provision of General Anesthesia

The provider of the general anesthesia must not also be the provider of the dental treatment (s).

Policy Statement on Tooth Whitening / Bleaching - September 2004

In an effort to clarify its position and in response to a request from the NSDA to revisit the issue, the Board, at its meeting on September 24, 2004, reviewed the scientific information provided regarding the provision of tooth whitening procedures. The following is the Board’s policy statement:

“Whereas:

Treatment planning for Tooth Whitening / Bleaching Procedures can only be provided by a licensed dentist following patient examination / consultation,   …. and,

High Concentration is any concentration above 10% carbamide peroxide or 3% hydrogen peroxide,

Therefore be it resolved,

In office bleaching using heat or light or high concentration of bleach is not in the scope of practice of dental hygienists or dental assistants.

Dispensing take home bleaching kits of high concentration is not in the scope of practice of dental hygienists or dental assistants.