Applicants: Dentists
Military Dentists
Dentists practising in Nova Scotia are required to carry a minimum of $3 million malpractice insurance through CDSPI.
Dentists who are members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and who practise in Nova Scotia exclusively in CAF settings:
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- are exempt from this requirement,
- must submit a waiver form with their application for registration and licensing, and
- obtain $3 million malpractice insurance through CDSPI and provide evidence of such prior to engaging in the practice of dentistry in a non-CAF setting.
Timelines for Processing Applications
Applicants Currently Licensed in Canada
We are complaint with the Patient Access to Care Act (PACA). For applicants currently licensed in another Canadian province or territory, we will process your application within 5 business days following the receipt of a COMPLETE APPLICATION.
A complete application means that you have submitted all required documents and we have had the opportunity to gather any follow-up information necessary following review of your documents.
Such documents include:
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- criminal record check,
- vulnerable sector check,
- reference letters, and
- certificates of standing from all jurisdictions where you were previously licensed as a health professional.
Applicants Not Currently Licensed in Canada
For all other applicants (not currently licensed elsewhere in Canada) we strive to meet the same 5-day timeline following the receipt of a COMPLETE APPLICATION. However, this timeframe may be extended slightly:
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- during staff vacation periods such as in December, and
- during the height of new applications following graduation in May and June.
We appreciate your patience during these periods.
Help with Documents
If you need help or clarification on the documentation required, our staff will assist you.
Policies on Requirements for Registration and Licensing of Dentists
In May of 2025 when the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia migrated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), the Board adopted these policies which reflect the Regulations and Policies in place under the repealed 1992 Dental Act.