A change is coming for some dental professionals in the province, as the Government of Saskatchewan is introducing legislation that will allow dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental assistants to practice independently within their scope of practice.

According to the government release, the Dental Disciplines Act governs six of the regulated dental professions in Saskatchewan: dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants, dental technicians and denturists. An amendment was made to (the Act) and introduced yesterday in the Saskatchewan legislature. It works to repeal section 25 of the current Act, which prohibits members of these three professions from practising independently of dentists.

The Act has provisions that prescribe authorized practices for each of these professions, and the amendment will expand the ability of these dental professionals to provide services, and will make it possible for the public to select their provider of choice.

Health Minister Paul Merriman noted, "It will also create opportunities to develop dental service delivery models to improve public access to dental care, especially in rural and remote areas."

This move will bring Saskatchewan in line with other Canadian jurisdictions, and the proposed changes were met with consultations by a large number of stakeholders, that according to the release include dental professional regulators in the province, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and other employers listed in the act.