All Standards
Effective: Aug 1st 2023 | Status: Approved

PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Standard Statement

The dental hygienist is aware of, understands, and practices in compliance with all applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. 

Performance Expectations

The dental hygienist must… 

  1. Maintain a level of personal and professional conduct that upholds the integrity and dignity of the profession and sustains public confidence. 
  2. Be aware of and comply with all legislation and regulatory requirements applicable in Alberta (e.g., privacy legislation, health and safety legislation, Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, guidelines). 
  3. Take reasonable steps to ensure policies and procedures in the practice setting follow the legislation and regulatory requirements to which dental hygienists are accountable. 
  4. Practice under conditions that do not compromise their own professional judgment or integrity. 
  5. Be accountable for their own actions. 
  6. Demonstrate sound professional judgment and integrity. 
  7. Not place another regulated health professional in situations that compromise the other regulated health professional’s judgment or integrity.  
  8. Maintain registration with the College and hold a valid practice permit prior to providing dental hygiene services. 
  9. Practice within their individual competence and confine their practice to only those activities authorized to them by the Health Professions Act (HPA) and the College. 
  10. Not engage in behaviour that constitutes sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or the procurement or performance of female genital mutilation of a patient, as defined by the HPA.
  11. Cooperate and comply with the requests of the College and its Council, officials, and committees to enable the College to fulfill its legislated responsibilities. 

Patient Expectations

The patient can expect that the dental hygiene services they receive are provided by a competent dental hygienist who follows all the rules and expectations of the profession. 

Glossary

COMPETENCE: The combined knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgment required to provide dental hygiene services. 

DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES: Any service that falls within the practice of the profession of dental hygienists as outlined in the Health Professions Act (Schedule 5, section 3). 

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: As defined in the Health Professions Act means “the excision, infibulation or mutilation, in whole or in part, of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoral hood or clitoris of a person, except where valid consent is given, and  

  1. a surgical or other procedure is performed by a regulated member under [the HPA] for the benefit of the physical health of the person or for the purpose of that person having normal reproductive functions or normal sexual appearance or function, or  
  2. the person is at least 18 years of age and there is no resulting bodily harm.” 

LEGISLATION: Federal or provincial acts, regulations, or codes.