Schedule 5, Section 2 of the Health Professions Act states that a regulated member of the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta may, as authorized by the regulations, use the following titles, abbreviations and initials: dental hygienist; registered dental hygienist; dental hygiene student; registered dental hygiene student; D.H.or R.D.H. 

Schedule 5, Section 3 of the Health Professions Act states:
In their practice, dental hygienists do one or more of the following:

• assess, diagnose and treat oral health conditions through the provision of therapeutic, educational and preventive dental hygiene procedures and strategies to promote wellness,
• provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations, and
• provide the services described in this section as clinicians, educators, researchers, administrators, health promoters and consultants.

Registered dental hygienists in Alberta: 

• have met the educational and other requirements criteria for registration. 
• apply a dental hygiene process of care model.
• practice with a foundation of evidence-based knowledge and theory.
• practice collaboratively with clients, colleagues and other health care professionals.
• provide client-centred services to prevent and treat oral disease and promote wellness.
• are involved in a variety of key responsibility areas related to dental hygiene practice (e.g. clinical, education, health promotion, administration, research, etc.).
• are legally, ethically, and professionally accountable for their practice and recognize personal limitations.
• maintain ongoing competence (e.g. through continuing education, research, reflective practice, practice hours, etc.).
• possess additional education, competencies and/or certification when performing advanced practice procedures.