Becoming a Dentist

General Dentists
A dentist must be registered with the Alberta Dental Association and College to practice dentistry in Alberta. To register, an applicant as a regulated member will (a) have a degree of doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine from a dentistry program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; (b) have successfully completed the National Dental Examining Board of Canada examination and (c) have successfully completed the Alberta Dental Association and College Ethics and Jurisprudence examination. They will then be issued their unique registration number and Practice Permit.To apply for registration as a General Dentist in Alberta, you will need:

• Official Transcripts from each post-secondary institution related to my dental education. Transcripts related to undergraduate programs are not required. Transcripts must list courses taken, grades obtained, and if applicable to that educational institution, that a degree or diploma has been awarded. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution. Documents not in English must be accompanied by translations. University of Alberta graduates are excluded. Undergraduate transcripts are not required.
• Certified Copies of degrees of diplomas earned.
• Copy of National Dental Examining Board of Canada Certificate.
• If you have been registered in any Canadian province, a completed Consent for Release of Information form is required, as well as a Certificate of Standing from the province where you were registered. If you have been registered in the Yukon, N.W.T. or Nunavut, the U.S.A. or internationally, a Letter of Good Standing from each jurisdiction in which you have practiced dentistry, if applicable.
• Three (3) written letters of character reference from colleagues or friends but not family members or classmates. Letters must be signed, dated and contain contact information.
• If you are currently in practice and have been in practice for two years or more, provide proof of 60 continuing education hours over the last two-year period.
• One (1) passport-sized photograph.

When the Application for Registration has been received, four documents will be emailed so that the applicant may study for the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination. Once the application file is complete, the applicant will be contacted by telephone, email or mail to set an appointment to take the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination, and be registered.

Dental Specialists
General Practice and Specialist
If a dentist has completed the (1) National Dental Examining Board of Canada examination and (2) an accredited specialty program approved by the Alberta Dental Association and College and (3) successfully completed the National Dental Specialty Examination of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, they may apply to be registered in Alberta as a general practitioner and specialist of their specialty.

Applicants must complete the two page general Application for Registration form and the one page Application for Registration as a Specialist form and submit along with required documentation. When the Application for Registration and Application for Registration as a Specialist has been received, four documents will be emailed so that the applicant may study for the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination.

Once the application file is complete, the applicant will be contacted by telephone, email or mail to set an appointment to take the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination. Applicants must complete the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination before they may be registered.

Specialist Registration Restricted to Specialty
If a general dentist has been internationally trained, and has (1) graduated from an accredited specialty program approved by the Alberta Dental Association and College, has (2) successfully completed the National Dental Specialty Examination of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, they may apply to be registered in Alberta in their specialty.

Applicants must complete the two page general Application for Registration form and the one page Application for Registration as a Specialist form and submit along with required documentation. When the Application for Registration and Application for Registration as a Specialist has been received, four documents will be emailed so that the applicant may study for the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination.

Once the application file is complete, the applicant will be contacted by telephone, email or mail to set an appointment to take the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination, and be registered. Applicants must complete the Ethics and Jurisprudence examination before they may be registered.
The documentation required in order to apply for registration is as follows:

• Official Transcripts from each post-secondary institution related to my dental education. Transcripts related to undergraduate programs are not required. Transcripts must list courses taken, grades obtained, and if applicable to that educational institution, that a degree or diploma has been awarded. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution. Documents not in English must be accompanied by translations. University of Alberta graduates are excluded.
• Certified Copies of degrees or diplomas earned.
• Copy of National Dental Examining Board of Canada certificate.
• A Letter of Good Standing from each jurisdiction in which you have practiced dentistry, if applicable.
• Three (3) written letters of character reference from colleagues of friends, but not family members or classmates. Letters must be signed, dated and contain contact information.
• If you are currently in practice and have been in practice for two years or more, provide proof of 60 hours of continuing education over the last two-year period.
• One (1) passport-sized photograph.
• Royal College of Dentists of Canada certificate (for specialists only).
• Letter advising passing of the National Dental Specialty Examination directly from the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

Dentists already registered with the Alberta Dental Association and College will need to provide:

• Application for Specialty Registration
• Letter advising passing of the National Dental Specialty Examination directly from the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.
• Diploma or certificate from specialty program OR transcripts from specialty program. If applicant chooses transcripts to be sent, they must be sent directly from the educational institution.

For a current list of fees involved, contact the Alberta Dental Association and College at (780) 432-1012 or toll free at 1-800-843-3848.

For application forms, please click here.