Message from the Registrar
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan exists to protect and serve the public interest in the regulation of the practice of Denturism in the province of Saskatchewan. In efforts to fulfill that mandate, this website is a resource for the public and for the profession.
The public trusts us to ensure they have access to safe, competent and ethical denturism care and to promote public health. Every denturist in Saskatchewan must meet set requirements to obtain a licence and must continue to meet the standards for professional conduct and practice.
Denturists are fortunate to have status as a self-regulating profession which gives the profession a voice in assuring its standards and determining who is entitled to use the title Denturist. In exchange for the privilege of self-regulation, Denturists in Saskatchewan ensure that public safety, quality denturism care and patient welfare are their top priorities.
We are dedicated to protecting the public’s right to safe, competent and ethical denturist care. Regardless of the treatment being performed, every Denturist must meet the set standards for entry into the profession and standards for professional conduct and practice.
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan is committed to the effective regulation of the Denturism profession within the province. Our Council regularly analyzes current and emerging changes in the practice of Denturism and ensures appropriate policies and programs are in place to ensure compliance and effective delivery of denture services.
Through this website, the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan provides a range of information for the public, licensed members and new applicants concerning general information, governance, programs and initiatives, and complaint inquiries processes, as well as policy documents and professional practice standards. If, after reviewing the website, you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at registrar@saskdenturists.com.
We welcome our role and responsibility in protecting the public’s right to safe, competent and ethical denture care.
Ashley Stevens, DD
Registrar
Legislation, Regulation and By-Laws
Welcome to the Registrar’s section of the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan. We are the licensing and regulatory body for Denturists in the province of Saskatchewan. To find out how to become a Licensed Denturist in Saskatchewan visit the Becoming A Denturist section of our website.
Denturists in the province of Saskatchewan are licensed by the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan and regulated by the Dental Disciplines Act, the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan Regulatory and Administrative By-Laws, which can be accessed below:
Practitioner Guidelines
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan develops Standards, Guidelines, Position Statements and Policies to support Denturists in the provision of safe and ethical care. Together, these documents define the expectations for members of the profession.
Standards of Practice are established to protect the public and provide Denturists with clear direction and inform the public of what they can expect when receiving care from a registered Denturist. Standards are high-level and outline the expectations for Denturists that contribute to public protection.
Guidelines offer further context and clarity to assist Denturists with an understanding of the Standards of Practice. Guidelines often address specific practice-related issues and can include scenarios and checklists.
Position Statements articulate the opinion of the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan in regard to matters that may not be specifically addressed by existing legislation or regulations. Position statements are often developed in response to questions from Denturists and provide a framework within which practice decisions can be made. A Denturist whose practice is not consistent with the position outlined by the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan may be required to justify their conduct or actions.
Policies are statements made by the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan about its expectations of how Denturists will behave in certain circumstances. Where Standards of Practice are statements by the profession of how its members will perform in certain circumstances, policies are rules set by the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan that govern the performance of members of the profession.
Patient Recordkeeping Guidelines
Good records not only help to facilitate good patient care and continuity of care, but they also provide legal and financial records. These Patient Recordkeeping Guidelines stipulate the minimum requirements for patient recordkeeping that Regulated Members must use in meeting the professional, ethical and legal requirements related to patient recordkeeping. The Guidelines have been developed by the Quality Assurance Committee and have been approved by the Council of the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan.
It is essential that the Regulated Members read and understand the Guidelines, then take any necessary steps to ensure that their practices meet or exceed the contained minimum requirements.
It is the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan’s position that the requirements contained therein are flexible enough for the regulated members to exercise reasonable professional judgment with respect to specific patient situations that may occur within their individual practices. Patient recordkeeping must comply with all applicable legislation, including the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan By-Laws and the Health Information Protection Act, see below document:
Continuing Education Program
Under the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan’s Regulatory By-Laws, the Quality Assurance Committee endorses continuing education or professional development designed to promote continuing competence and practice improvement. Participation in Continuing Professional Development activities assists registered denturists with the maintenance and evolution of professional knowledge, skills and judgment at all career stages.
The objectives of the Continuing Education (CE) Program are to ensure competence and professionalism at all stages of a denturist’s career. To be eligible for credit, activities must have significant intellectual and/or practical content related to the practice of denturism and/or the management of the denturist practice. Activities can also be related to the professional responsibilities or ethical obligations of the participant. The current guidelines apply for the 3-year cycle period starting January 1st, 2021 and ending December 31st, 2023. The Quality Assurance Committee reserves the right to review and modify guidelines for each 3-year cycle.
Advertising Standards
In advertising, professionals seek to provide information about the services they provide. When the public accesses advertising, they are seeking information that is true and accurate regarding a service or service provider.
The Standard of Practice: Advertising will assist denturists in understanding their legal and professional responsibilities pertaining to issues of advertising without restricting a denturist’s business practice freedom or inhibiting marketplace competition and innovation.
Infection Prevention & Control
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan has adopted the Saskatchewan Oral Health Care Professionals (SOHCP) Infection Prevention and Control Standards in the Oral Health Care Facility, released January 1, 2019. This document contains practice parameters and standards which must be considered by all in the care of their patients. All professionals in the Saskatchewan Oral Health Professions (SOHP) must be aware that these standards will be used by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS), Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association (SDTA), Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association (SDHA), Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association (SDAA), Denturists Society of Saskatchewan (DSS) and other regulatory authorities in determining whether appropriate standards of practice and professional responsibilities have been maintained. Compliance with infection prevention and control standards is the responsibility of all SOHCP professionals, not just the employer, contracting dentist, practice owner or corporate management team.
The major goal of an infection control program is to prevent the transfer of pathogens between contaminated items and individuals. Dentists, denturists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental assistants have dealt with the concepts and principles of infection control and infection prevention since early in the histories of these professions. All Oral Health Care Professionals must be responsible for infection prevention and control in oral health facilities in Saskatchewan. Because of the realities of the oral environment, creating a medical level surgical operating room level is not necessary or possible; however, Oral Health Care Professionals must strive to efficiently create an environment which is as pathogen free as possible.
Infection prevention and control is an important part of safe patient care. The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan mandates that a registrant must demonstrate, at all times, a level of knowledge which ensures the adequate protection of the public.
Areas of requisite knowledge are:
- Sterilization and infection control
- Demonstrate aseptic techniques and environmental controls to ensure adequate hygienic environment
- Denturists must maintain the standards of practice of the profession and, accordingly, must ensure that appropriate infection prevention and control procedures are carried out in their practices
Clinic Inspection
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan’s Quality Assurance Committee inspects all clinics on a rotating 5-year cycle, unless earlier required or new location to ensure it is in compliance with the standards of practice and guidelines as set by the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan.
Informed Consent & Treatment Planning
Informed consent is the legal and ethical foundation on which healthcare professionals provide care and service to patients. It is a critical responsibility of health professionals that patients or substitute decision makers receive all of the information they require in order to make an informed choice about their healthcare.
Informed consent is a process achieved through a conversation between the denturist and patient or substitute decision maker. Merely asking a patient to sign a consent form does not meet the expectations of the public regarding informed consent nor does it meet the expectations in this Standard.
How to Become a Licensed Denturist in Saskatchewan
Denturism Programs
Colleges with approved Denture Technology Programs include:
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
762-106th Street
Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1
1.403.471.7683
Website: NAIT.ca
CDI College
100 – 11125 124th Street
Surrey, BC V3V 4V2
1.800.454.5716
Website: CDICollege.ca
George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology
P.O. Box 1015, Station B
Toronto, ON M5T 2T9
1.416.415.4793
Website: GeorgeBrown.ca
Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology
670 Progress Avenue
Scarborough, ON M1H 3A4
1.855.949.6936
Website: Oxfordedu.ca
Georgian College
One Georgian Drive
Barrie, ON L4M 3X9
1.705.728.1968
Website: Georgiancollege.ca
College Edouard-Montpetit
945, Chemin Chambly
Longueuil, Quebec J4H 3M6
1.514.679.2630
Website: CegepMontpetit.ca
New Students wishing to challenge the Provincial licensing exam are required to complete a period of practical study. Please contact the Registrar for more information by email at registrar@saskdenturists.com.
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan has set a minimum number of units to have been completed in a Denturist Technology program at (60 units). If the program falls short of this minimum additional units will be added to applicable internship. The onus falls upon the student to provide evidence of cases completed in the college setting.
Upon graduation a student must apply to the registrar for an intern membership and complete form 3 (link) and pay any prescribed fees. Intern must be aware of limitations of intern membership as outlined in the Regulatory By-Laws Intern Member 5(1)-(5). An Intern member must immediately report any change in employment status. The Practical Study Program outlines all the requirements for intern member.
Recognition of practical study requirements performed outside of Saskatchewan may be considered, on review and approval by Council, to be considered to count towards the period of practical study required in Saskatchewan. These hours and cases must be administered through a practical study program by a recognized licensing body in Canada. These cases and hours are only available for transfer within 1 year of completion and with document proof.
Licensing and Registration
Under the Dental Disciplines Act the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan must register those qualified individuals who are practicing the profession of denturism in Saskatchewan. Our legislation and By-Laws provide different registers on which people may be registered.
In order to apply for any type of license you must complete the required form, provide the required documentation and pay the associated fees. The required documentation must be sent to the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan directly. The Registrar reserves the right to request any additional documentation or evidence in order to make an informed decision in the public interest. If you have graduated from a denturism school not approved by the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan, please contact the Registrar at registrar@saskdenturists.com or by telephone at 1-855-633-6875 Ext. 0.
Note: If you are a current or past registrant member in Saskatchewan, please use the member portal to complete any of the below forms.
Form 1: Resident Practising Member
Form 2: Non-Resident Practicing Member
Form 3: Intern Member
Form 4: Non-Practising (Retired) Member
Form 5: Application to sit or Form 5: Application to sit (intern)
Form 6: Reinstatement of Membership
Form 7: Annual Practice Declaration
Form 8: Application for Assessment
For further information on how to register, eligibility and fees, please reference this website or contact the Registrar at registrar@saskdenturists.com or by telephone at 1-855-633-6875 Ext. 0.
All regulated members of the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan are required to hold Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) at all times during their registration. This is a requirement of the Denturists Profession Regulation. PLI is in place to protect both the patient and the member. By having PLI, a member is protected professionally and financially from claims (real, alleged or false) made against the member as a result of rendering professional services. The patient is protected should the claim be substantiated, and damages awarded.
Should you have any questions regarding the PLI, please contact the Registrar at registrar@saskdenturists.com or by telephone at 1-855-633-6875 Ext. 0.
Complaint Inquiries
All denture patients have the right to expect professional care from their Denturist and the right to determine what care they choose to accept. If you have concerns with the professional care you have received and are dissatisfied, first discuss your concerns with your Denturist. If you are still unhappy after his/her explanation, you should contact the Conduct Chair Boyd Doucette at the contact information below.
The Denturist Society of Saskatchewan’s role is to regulate the profession to ensure the safety of the public and rest assured complaint inquiries are handled in strictest confidence. If you have questions or concerns about the Denture Services you’ve received in Saskatchewan, please contact our Conduct Chair, Boyd Doucette by telephone at 1-855-633-6875 Ext. 2 or by email: conduct@saskdenturists.com.