Why do dental assistants need PLI?

All licensed health professionals in Nova Scotia are required by the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) to hold PLI (also known as malpractice insurance). For dentists and dental assistants, this is spelled out in Section 13(1)(a)(iii) of the Government’s Dentistry and Dental Assisting Regulations.

For all health professionals, practising without PLI/malpractice insurance may be considered professional misconduct since it goes against the legislation. As well, it puts the health professional and patient at risk should an unlikely adverse event occur involving a patient.

It is important that you renew your PLI before it expires if your wish to practise dental assisting.

How can you obtain or renew your PLI?

You can obtain PLI through any insurance company of your choosing as long as the policy meets the NSRDDA’s requirements explained in the document found on this page.

Many dental assistants in Nova Scotia obtain their PLI through one of these two avenues:

CDAA

NSDAA members can purchase PLI through the CDAA. The annual premium is $18 for a February 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027 term. (We gather that the hope is to align the CDAA policy with the NSRDDA DA licensing year in the future.)

What do you do after renewing your PLI?

Once you renew your PLI, you should do the following:

• • Log into the NSRDDA Licensee Portal.
  • If your PLI is set to expire soon, you should see a “PLI Update for DAs” button.
  • Click “Update”.
  • When you are in the form:
    • • upload your document,
      • update the policy information, and
      • Click “Submit” when finished, or “Save for later”.
  • If you think you should see a form (because your PLI will soon expire) and do not see one, please email feedback@nsrdda.ca.

When you submit your PLI Renewal form…

You should receive an automated email confriming that your form has been submitted.

Once your update form has been reviewed by staff, you will receive an email:

–indicating that the update was successful, or

–with feedback or requesting clarification.

Processing Time

Once you submit your PLI Update Form, please allow 3-5 business days to receive an email about the status of your renewal form.

We thank you for your patience.