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The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) sought public feedback on the proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations. We first asked for input in 2024 and a summary of that feedback is available in the What We Heard report. We engaged again to gather feedback on the draft regulations that were developed from that input and to confirm changes before finalizing.
The regulations will move the regulation of the dental hygiene profession from the Dental Auxiliaries Act to the Health and Social Services Professions Act, the “umbrella” Act that intends to support a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of all health and social services professionals in the NWT. This approach will foster improved access to dental services and aligns us with national standards, while also broadening the scope of practice for dental hygienists.
Key updates in this stage:
The expanded scope of practice provisions identified in the Key Elements document could not be completed at this time due to restrictions in legislation (i.e. the Medical Professions Act and the Pharmacy Act) that prohibit the expanded scope activities from being addressed in time for December 1, 2025.
The regulations going forward in this stage will address current practice restrictions. For example, they remove the requirement that dental hygienists work under the direction and control of a dentist. Additional scope expansions will be considered in a second phase once necessary legislative amendments are complete.
Have Your Say
Dental hygienists, stakeholders, and the public were invited to provide feedback on the draft regulations between September 15, 2025 and October 15, 2025. We received 3 responses during the public engagement period.
Next Steps
Input will be reviewed in collaboration with the Advisory Committee to ensure that the final regulations are in line with best practice in Canada and the northern context.
Phase I is coming into force December 1, 2025. It does not yet include the expanded scope activities.
The changes that come with Phase I are:
the removal of the requirement for supervision from a dentist
expansion of the general scope of practice for dental hygienists
development of a continuing competency program
Phase II will be coming into force at a later date and will include:
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) sought public feedback on the proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations. We first asked for input in 2024 and a summary of that feedback is available in the What We Heard report. We engaged again to gather feedback on the draft regulations that were developed from that input and to confirm changes before finalizing.
The regulations will move the regulation of the dental hygiene profession from the Dental Auxiliaries Act to the Health and Social Services Professions Act, the “umbrella” Act that intends to support a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of all health and social services professionals in the NWT. This approach will foster improved access to dental services and aligns us with national standards, while also broadening the scope of practice for dental hygienists.
Key updates in this stage:
The expanded scope of practice provisions identified in the Key Elements document could not be completed at this time due to restrictions in legislation (i.e. the Medical Professions Act and the Pharmacy Act) that prohibit the expanded scope activities from being addressed in time for December 1, 2025.
The regulations going forward in this stage will address current practice restrictions. For example, they remove the requirement that dental hygienists work under the direction and control of a dentist. Additional scope expansions will be considered in a second phase once necessary legislative amendments are complete.
Have Your Say
Dental hygienists, stakeholders, and the public were invited to provide feedback on the draft regulations between September 15, 2025 and October 15, 2025. We received 3 responses during the public engagement period.
Next Steps
Input will be reviewed in collaboration with the Advisory Committee to ensure that the final regulations are in line with best practice in Canada and the northern context.
Phase I is coming into force December 1, 2025. It does not yet include the expanded scope activities.
The changes that come with Phase I are:
the removal of the requirement for supervision from a dentist
expansion of the general scope of practice for dental hygienists
development of a continuing competency program
Phase II will be coming into force at a later date and will include:
expanded scope activities
development of standards of practice
development of a code of ethics
Page last updated: 10 Nov 2025, 02:13 PM
Status
Open
Proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations has finished this stage
This engagement was open from September 15, 2025 to October 15, 2025.
Under Review
Proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations has finished this stage
Completed
Proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations is currently at this stage
