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HISTORY OF LEGISLATION IN
SASKATCHEWAN
The Saskatchewan
Dental Nurses Act was proclaimed in 1973. Dental Nursing became a
self-regulated profession. This enabled the SDNA to license and regulate their own members. The Saskatchewan Dental
Nurses Association (SDNA) was founded in April 1974. In 1981 the Saskatchewan
Dental Nurses Act was replaced by the Dental Therapists Act.
This marked the name change from “dental nurse” to “dental
therapist”.
In 1997, The
Dental Disciplines Act was legislated. The Act includes the six
dental professions in the province: dentists, dental hygienists,
dental assistants, denturists, dental technicians and dental
therapists. This act provided the authority for each individual
dental profession to license and regulate their own profession. As
the SDTA had this authority since its inception in 1974, this
legislation provided more opportunities for employers to employ
dental therapists with more flexibility.
All
members of the Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association have
graduated from a recognized school of dental therapy. Schools
recognized by the SDTA are the First Nations University of
Canada-National Dental Therapy and the Saskatchewan Institute of
Applied Arts and Science – Wascana Institute. All dental therapists
practicing in Saskatchewan are required to be registered and
licensed with the Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association.
The
Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association
Council consists of the president, vice-president, eight members
at large, three consumer representatives and the
Registrar/Treasurer/Secretary.
The council is responsible for
administering the Dental Disciplines Act and the Saskatchewan
Dental Therapists Associations Bylaws.
The members of council chair various committees including the
Executive,
Professional Conduct,
Discipline, Credentials,
Continuing Education/Bursary, Convention/Election, Editorial and
Community Oral Health. |