Dentistry
Last updated on June 18, 2024The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) is the regulatory body established to regulate dentists, dental therapists, denturists, dental technicians, dental hygienists, and certified dental assistants. The BCCOHP was established on September 1, 2022. The BCCOHP resulted from the amalgamation of the College of Dental Hygienists of BC, College of Dental Surgeons of BC, College of Dental Technicians of BC, and College of Denturists of BC.
Dentistry has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since April 3, 2009 and is regulated by the College in accordance with the Act, the Dentists Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Dentistry has been a regulated profession under British Columbia legislation since 1886. The College was established in 1908. Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was regulated under the former Dentists Act.
Transition of Dentistry to the Health Professions Act
Repeal of the Dentists Act was provided for in the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2003.
As required by the Health Professions Act, the Ministry gave initial notice of the proposed Dentists Regulation on November 21, 2006. Also in November 2006, the College of Dental Surgeons submitted proposed bylaws under the Health Professions Act and the Ministry gave notice of the proposed bylaws on December 20, 2006. The Ministry gave notice of the final draft of the proposed Dentists Regulation on October 24, 2008.
On December 12, 2008, the government announced that effective April 3, 2009, the repeal of the Dentists Act would be brought into force and the profession of dentistry would be designated under the Health Professions Act.
On February 17, 2009, the Minister appointed the first board of the College under the Health Professions Act, and ordered that the first election of professional members to the board must be held by July 3, 2010.
On March 16, 2009, the College gave notice of the final draft of proposed bylaws under the Health Professions Act. Comments were requested to be submitted to the College and the Ministry by March 23, 2009.
On April 1, 2009, the government announced completion of the transition.
The first election of professional members to the board was completed on May 20, 2010.
Amendments to the Dentists Regulation
Amendments to the Dentists Regulation and to most College bylaws are subject to a three-month notice period, unless the Minister specifies a shorter period.
The College is responsible for giving notice of proposed bylaw amendments, including posting them on the College website, and all bylaw amendments must be filed with the Minister to be effective. Filed bylaws come into force 60 days after the date of filing, unless the Minister either disallows the change or specifies an earlier date, or the College withdraws the change.
The full text of the current bylaws and information about any proposed bylaw amendments may be obtained by contacting the College. Comments on proposed bylaw amendments should be submitted to both the College and the Ministry
Proposed Regulation Amendments
| Proposed Regulation Amendments | Notice Date |
|---|---|
Approved Regulation Amendments
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the Dentists Regulation to reflect the name of the amalgamated college: British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals, effective September 1, 2022. | July 18, 2022 MO 207/2022 BC Reg 172/2022 |
| Amendments to the Dentists Regulation, effective February 24, 2020, including changes to the restricted activities section to clarify that unregulated persons cannot perform the restricted activities of dentists (unless authorized), as well as changes to standardize terms to align with the other oral health colleges’ regulations. | February 24, 2020 MO 041/2020 BC Reg 32/2020 |
| Amends the Regulation by adding "dental therapist" to the list of reserved titles. | October 21, 2014 MO 363/2014 BC Reg 189/2014 |
| Makes the Dentists Regulation, effective April 3, 2009. | December 12, 2008 MO 308/2008 BC Reg 415/2008 |
| Brings into force the repeal of the Dentists Act, effective April 3, 2009. Designates dentistry under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective April 3, 2009. |
December 12, 2008 OIC 973/2008 BC Reg 421/2008 |
Filed Bylaw Amendments
| Filed Bylaw Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the bylaws by replacing Schedule E - Fees | Filed December 3, 2020 In force January 4, 2021 MO 438/2020 |
| Amends the bylaws in Parts 2 and 4 relating to committee structure and Board eligibility | Filed January 29, 2020 In force July 28, 2020 MO 254/2020 |
| Amends the bylaws by replacing Schedule E - Fees | Filed November 22, 2019 In force December 31, 2019 MO 473/2019 |
| Amends the bylaws relating to the college board and committees. | Filed September 11, 2019 In force September 16, 2019 MO 301/2019 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F - Fees. | Filed December 20, 2018 In force January 1, 2019 MO 531/2018. |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed December 4, 2017 In force February 2, 2018 |
| Amends the bylaws relating to advertising and promotion. | Filed September 28, 2017 In force November 28, 2017 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed November 30, 2016 In force January 1, 2017 MO 483/2016 |
| Amends the bylaws by amending section 13.03(5) regarding providing dental services to one's spouse. | Filed June 20, 2016 In force August 19, 2016 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed November 30, 2015 In force January 1, 2016 MO 390/2015 |
| Amends section 12 of the bylaws regarding marketing and promotional activities. | Filed August 13, 2015 In force October 12, 2015. |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedules G and H (Tariff of costs). | Filed June 20, 2015 In force August 19, 2015. |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed December 29, 2014 In force January 1, 2015 MO 464/2014 |
| Corrects section numbering errors in amendments filed September 30, 2013. | Filed September 26, 2014 In force November 25, 2014 |
| Amends the bylaws by adding Schedule D.1 regarding dental therapist services. | Filed September 26, 2014 In force November 25, 2014 |
| Amends the bylaws regarding electronic delivery, board election eligibility, citations, pre-hearing conferences and promotional activities for limited practices. | Filed June 19, 2014 In force June 20, 2014 MO 203/2014 |
| Amends sections 3.16 to 3.19 of the College bylaws regarding participation by certified dental assistants in general meetings of the College. | Filed May 12, 2014 In force May 13, 2014 MO 152/2014 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed December 23, 2013 In force January 1, 2014 MO 324/2013 |
| Amends the bylaws to establish the dental therapist registrant class for employees of the First Nations Health Authority. | Filed September 30, 2013 In force November 29, 2013 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed March 7, 2013 In force May 6, 2013 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed December 20, 2012 In force January 1, 2013 MO 287/2012 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed January 03, 2012 In force January 11, 2012 MO 008/2012 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed February 7, 2011 In force February 16, 2011 MO 031/2011 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed February 3, 2010 In force April 4, 2010 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F (fees). | Filed December 23, 2009 In force February 1, 2010 MO 299/2009 |
| Repeals all rules of the College under the Dentists Act, and makes the bylaws of the College under the Health Professions Act. | Filed April 3, 2009 In force April 3, 2009 MO 123/2009 |
Other
| Other | Date |
|---|---|
| Appoints the first board of the College under the Health Professions Act and orders that the first election of professional members to the board be held on or before July 3, 2010. | February 17, 2009 MO 031/2009 |
Contact information
British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
| Website: | https://oralhealthbc.ca |