Temporary Authorization for Dentists
Temporary Authorization for Dentists
The primary role of the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting (NSRDDA) is to protect the public interest with respect to dentistry and dental assisting. One of the ways this role is fulfilled is by ensuring that Nova Scotians are treated by licensed dentists and dental assistants who provide competent, safe, and ethical dental care.
Under certain circumstances, a dentist who is not licensed in Nova Scotia but who is licensed elsewhere in Canada or the United States may apply for a Temporary Authorization to practise dentistry in Nova Scotia. The 3 particular circumstances in which this may be authorized are outlined below.
Part-time Faculty at Dalhousie
Dentists who are not licensed in Nova Scotia but are licensed elsewhere in Canada or the US must obtain Temporary Authorization in order to provide or supervise patient care activities at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Dentistry.
Temporary Authorization for part-time faculty members will be valid for a maximum of 30 days per 365-day cycle.
The dates for all teaching days must be indicated in the Temporary Authorization application.
Participation in Continuing Education
Dentists who are not licensed in Nova Scotia but are licensed elsewhere in Canada or the US must obtain Temporary Authorization in order to participate in a continuing education (CE) course in Nova Scotia involving patient care.
A Temporary Authorization for CE involvement will be valid for a maximum of 10 days per 365-day cycle from the date of issue or renewal.
The dates of all patient care CE courses that the dentist is attending must be must be indicated in the Temporary Authorization application.
Participation in Approved Study Club
Dentists who are not licensed in Nova Scotia but are licensed elsewhere in Canada or the US must obtain Temporary Authorization in order to participate in study clubs that have been approved by the NSRDDA and involve patient care.
A Temporary Authorization for study club participants will be valid for a maximum of 10 days per 365-day cycle from the date of issue or renewal.
The dates that the dentist will be involved in patient care through the study club must be must be indicated in the Temporary Authorization application.
The Process
1. Create a Profile
Create a profile in our Alinity registrant database if you do not have one. You can access Alinity by clicking this link.
You will need to enter basic contact information.
As you go through this process, you may need to check your spam email folder for confirmation emails.
2. Temporary Authorization Application Form
When you log in to the Alinity Registrant portal, you should see a “Temporary Authorization” button. This will take you to the application form where you will need to provide the following information:
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- The reason you are requesting Temproary Authorization (from a pull-down menu)
- The details of the clinical activities you will be engaged in (including the specific dates, name of the institution/study club/course as applicable, etc.)
- Where you obtained your dental education and the date of graduation
- Whether you have an NDEB and/or NDSE certificate
- All jurisdictions where you are currently or were previously licensed
- Verification that you carry a minimum of $3 million malpractice insurance through CDSPI
You will also need to answer declarations regarding the following:
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- History of academic misconduct
- Previous criminal history
- Any health issues you have which could affect your ability to practice competently and safely
- Any history of professional conduct complaints in other jurisdictions
3. Certificates of Standing
You must request that the regulatory body in each jurisdiction where you are or were previously licensed send a Certificate (or letter) of Standing directly to our office.
You may provide the other regulatory bodies with the NSRDDA Certificate of Standing form available for download on this page of our website.
Certificates of Standing should be emailed to registration@nsrdda.ca.
4. Check for Updates
Monitor your email for correspondence from us either:
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- approving your application and requesting payment, or
- asking you for additional information or clarification.
Note: If a Temporary Authorization application is denied, the applicant can request that the Registration and Licensing Review Committee review the Registrar’s decision.
5. Payment
Once your application is approved, an invoice for $97 will appear within your Alinity profile and can be paid online with a credit card. Alternatively, you can mail us a cheque or money order.
IMPORTANT: The holder of the Temporary Authorization must ensure that arrangements have been made with a dentist licensed in Nova Scotia to provide any follow up care which may be needed by the patient as a result of the treatment provided by the dentist holding the Temporary Authorization. Failure to make such arrangements could be considered professional misconduct.
Timelines
We aim to process applications and reach a decision within 20 business days following the submission 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.