Skip to main content
CDSA Bylaws
In section 132 of The Health Profession Act, the government of Alberta details how regulators are to create and respect their own Bylaws.

The CDSA Bylaws are the framework and scope of the College’s activities and how it conducts the day-to-day business. The bylaws detail the basic organizational structures of the CDSA, which include council, governance, committees, professional corporation, professional conduct, fees, and administration.

CDSA Bylaws

CDSA Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics is a set of principles of professional conduct that governs all registered dentists (general and specialist) and establishes the expectations for dentists in fulfilling duties to their patients, to the public, and to the profession. Dentist’s are responsible for upholding the CDSA Code of Ethics in their day-to-day work as healthcare professionals.

CDSA Code of Ethics

Standards of Practice
A Standard of Practice outlines the responsibilities of regulated members surrounding various topics. Standards of Practice are developed by committees, reviewed by regulated members, approved by council, and then reviewed and approved by government before becoming official. Alberta’s dentists are required to follow the CDSA Standards of Practice.

Standard of Practice: Continuing Competence
This Standard outlines requirements dentists must meet as it pertains to practice visits and continued learning throughout their career.

Standard of Practice: Continuing Competence

Standard of Practice: Facial Esthetic Therapies and Adjunctive Procedures
This standard applies to dentists who are administering therapeutic and esthetic oral and maxillofacial treatment for the restoration of a patient’s appearance in form and function or to enhance their appearance, or both.

Standard of Practice: Facial Esthetic Therapies and Adjunctive Procedures

Standard of Practice: Infection Prevention and Control and Risk Management for Dentistry
This standard applies to all clinical, laboratory, and medical device reprocessing areas used by dentists as it pertains to the transmission of microorganisms.

Standard of Practice: Infection Prevention and Control and Risk Management for Dentistry

Standard of Practice: Informed Consent
This standard outlines that dentists must discuss treatment options with patients in order to allow the patient to make an informed choice and provide consent to a treatment or no treatment.

Standard of Practice: Informed Consent

Standard of Practice: Minimal and Moderate Sedation Deep Sedation and General Anaesthesia in Non-Hospital Dental Practice
This standard outlines the administration of sedation in all dental practices, including dental surgical facilities in Alberta.

Standard of Practice: Minimal and Moderate Sedation Deep Sedation and General Anaesthesia in Non-Hospital Dental Practice

Standard of Practice: Non-surgical Management for Sleep Disordered Breathing
This standard outlines the responsibilities for dentists who provide sleep disordered breathing treatment to adult and pediatric patients.

Standard of Practice: Non-surgical Management for Sleep Disordered Breathing

Standard of Practice: Patient Records
This standard details the requirements dentists have to create and maintain accurate patient records.

Standard of Practice: Patient Records

Standard of Practice: Practice Arrangements and Provision of Professional Services
This standard outlines the role and requirement of a ‘Responsible Dentist’ and the accountability required for dentists in dental practices.

Standard of Practice: Practice Arrangements and Provision of Professional Services

Standard of Practice: Privacy and Management of Patient Health Information
This standard outlines how all dentists must be custodians of the Health Information Act — which applies to all health information collected, used, and disclosed.

Standard of Practice: Privacy and Management of Patient Health Information

Standard of Practice: Restricted Activities
This standard identifies the restricted activities, including the criteria that must be met, which dentists are permitted to perform in relation to or as part of a professional service.

Standard of Practice: Restricted Activities 

Standard of Practice: Sexual Abuse, Sexual Misconduct, and Female Genital Mutilation
This standard clarifies the consequences of engaging in sexual abuse or sexual misconduct as well acting as a reminder that procuring or providing female genital mutilation is a criminal act.

Standard of Practice: Sexual Abuse, Sexual Misconduct, and Female Genital Mutilation

CDSA Guides
CDSA guides provide general recommendations to dentists on ways in which they can implement requirements outlined in a Standard of Practice. Guides also provide ways to tangibly assist dentists in their day-to-day duties.

Guide for Bloodborne Pathogen-Needlestick Protocol

Guide for Dentists Counselling Patients Who Smoke

Guide for Facial Esthetic Therapies and Adjunctive Procedures

Operating a Dental Practice in Alberta

Guide for Pain Management/Opioids

Additional Resources for Dentists