If you want to practice as a dentist in Alberta, you must have Registration and a Practice Permit.
Depending on how you are registering, you will fill out an Application form in the CDSA Applicant Portal. Determine your application type below.
Application Types
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General Dentist
Applicants for registration as a General Dentist must meet the requirements of:
- the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA); and
- the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) General Dentist Examination.
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New Graduate – General Dentist
This application type is for dentists who have recently completed a University dental program and that have not been registered in any other jurisdiction(s) within Canada, North America, or Internationally.
Applicants for registration as a New Graduate – General Dentist must meet the requirements of:
- have recently completed a University dental program and that have not been registered in any other jurisdiction(s) within Canada, North America, or Internationally
- the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA); and
- the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) General Dentist Examination.
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General Dentist & Dental Specialist Registration
There are two paths for dentists applying for Dental Specialists Permit. Applicants that hold the NDEB may apply for a General Dentist & Dental Specialist permit.
Applicants for registration as a General Dentist & Dental Specialist must meet the requirements of:
- The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA); and
- The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) General Dentist Examination; and
- The National Dental Examining Board of Canada – National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE)
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Dental Specialist Registration
There are two paths for dentists applying for Dental Specialists Permit. Applicants that do not hold the NDEB requirement may apply for a Dental Specialist Permit.
Applicants for registration as solely a Dental Specialist must meet the requirements of:
- The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA); and
- The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) and/or National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE)
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Reinstatement of a Practice Permit
How to Reinstate Your Practice Permit with the CDSA
Step 1: Create Your Applicant Portal Profile
Create a profile in the Applicant Portal using the email address associated with your previous CDSA registration.
If your email address has changed, contact the Registration Department at registration@cdsab.ca before creating your profile to request an update.
Before submitting your application, ensure you have reviewed and gathered all required documentation.
Step 2: Submit Required Documentation
Upload the following documents through the Applicant Portal:
- BLS or CPR with AED Certification
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- Copy of a valid certificate.
- Hands-on training is preferred, as it is a required component for maintaining registration through future renewal requirements.
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- Consent for Release of Information
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- Required for each jurisdiction in which registration is currently and previously held.
- Download the form here.
- Upload the completed form to the Applicant Portal.
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- Consent to Request and Release a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check
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- Download the form here
- Upload the completed form to the Applicant Portal
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- Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check
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- Must have been completed within the last 12 months.
- Applicants are responsible for any fees associated with obtaining these records.
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Step 3: Arrange for Documents to Be Sent Directly to the CDSAImportant: The following documents must be submitted directly to the CDSA by the issuing source via email at registration@cdsab.ca.
Documents submitted by applicants will not be accepted.
- Certificate or Letter of Good Standing
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- Valid for 8 weeks from the date of issue.
- Required for each jurisdiction in Canada or internationally in which the applicant holds, or previously held, registration as a Dentist, regardless of registration status. This includes active, inactive, expired, surrendered, or cancelled registrations.
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- Disclose Other Regulatory Registrations
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- Applicants must disclose all regulatory permits/licenses obtained, regardless of their status (active or inactive), and from any jurisdiction
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Step 4: Submit Your Application- Once all required documentation has been uploaded or sent to the CDSA, submit your application through the Applicant Portal.
- Applications will be reviewed once the application has been submitted and all required documentation has been received.
Additional Information- Additional supporting documentation may be required to bring your file up to date.
- If the application requests documents that are not listed above but were previously submitted to the CDSA (for example, degree, transcripts, or NDEB certification), upload a note indicating that you were previously registered with the CDSA.
Questions?If you have questions about the reinstatement process, contact the Registration Department at registration@cdsab.ca.
- BLS or CPR with AED Certification
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General Residency Program
This application type is for dentists who are currently or were previously registered in another jurisdiction within Canada, North America, or Internationally.
Applicants for registration of the General Residency Program must meet the requirements of:
- Registration on the Main register to attend the University of Alberta’s General Residency Program (GPR).
- The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA); and
- The National Dental Examining Board of Canada – National Dental Specialty Examination (NDEB NDSE)
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Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Fellowship
This application type is for registration to attend the University of Alberta’s Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Fellowship.
Applicants for registration of the OMFS Fellowship must meet the requirements of:
- The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA); and
- a letter from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry confirming an appointment and outline of duties
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Supportive Pathway to NDEB Certification Program
The Supportive Pathway Program application is for Internationally Trained Dentists (ITDs) from non-accredited undergraduate dental programs. This pathway is a two (2) to four (4) consecutive week unpaid placement designed to support ITDs pursuing the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) certification while exposing them to the Canadian dental profession.
Application Requirements
- Approved application and acceptance to the NDEB Equivalency Process.
- Successful completion of the NDEB Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK).
- Successful completion of the NDEB Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ) within the last three (3) years.
- Submit Application and Documentation:
- Complete and submit the application form provided by the College.
- Ensure all required supporting documents are included as per the application guidelines.
- Pay the Supportive Pathway Application Fee of $500 (non-refundable). The Application fee is valid for any CDSA application for up to two (2) years.
- English Language Proficiency: The ITD must demonstrate proficiency in English, meeting the requirements outlined in the CDSA English Language Proficiency Policy RP-01. Applicants currently in an active registration with another Alberta Oral Health Regulator (Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Denturist, Technologist) are considered to have met the requirements for English Language Proficiency.
An English language proficiency test is required when:
- There is no equivalent English proficiency requirement in the jurisdiction where the applicant is currently or has been registered.
- The dental school or postgraduate dental education program was conducted in a language other than English.
Applicants who are required to demonstrate English language proficiency must complete an academic version of an English language proficiency test within 24 months before applying for registration.
- Be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident of Canada, or authorized as lawfully permitted to work in Canada. Preference will be given to applicants currently living in Alberta.
- Proof of current Basic Life Support (HCR/CPR) including AED equivalent certification within the last twelve (12) months.
- Be willing to potentially relocate to a dental practice within Alberta for the duration of the two (2) to four (4) consecutive week placement.
- Meet any other criteria as determined by the Registrar, ensuring that all necessary qualifications, standards, and competencies are met to provide safe and effective care.
A completed application does not guarantee admittance into the Supportive Pathway Program.
Do you need an application for a different register?
- Education and Research Register
- Courtesy Register
- Volunteer Register
All applications for these registers are to be completed through the Applicant Portal.