Definitions

1   In this regulation:

"Act" means the Health Professions Act;

"complete denture" means a dental prosthesis, supported by soft tissue, that replaces the natural teeth and associated structures in an edentulous arch and is not attached to or supported by natural teeth or implants and which is removable by the patient;

"dental appliance" means an appliance or a device designed or offered for a dental condition or other condition of the orofacial complex, excluding a mouthguard designed or offered for temporary protection against injury during sporting activities;

"dental technology" means the health profession in which a person provides the service of making, altering or providing dental appliances;

"dentist" means a person who is authorized under the Act to practise the designated health profession of dentistry;

"denturist" means a person who is authorized under the Act to practise the designated health profession of denturism;

"edentulous arch" means a dental arch with no remaining natural teeth or roots;

"implants" means a device that has been inserted into, over, through or under the jawbone for the purpose of supporting a dental prosthesis;

"prescription" means an authorization, issued by a person who is authorized under the Act to prescribe a dental appliance, to make or alter a dental appliance for use by a named individual.

College name

2   The name of the college responsible for carrying out the objects of the Act in respect of dental technology is "British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals".

[en. B.C. Reg. 172/2022, Sch. 2.]

Reserved title

3   The title "dental technician" is reserved for exclusive use by registrants.

Scope of practice

4   A dental technician may practise dental technology.

Restricted activities

5   (1) A registrant in the course of practising dental technology may do all of the following:

(a) on receipt of a prescription, make or alter a dental appliance and provide the dental appliance to the person who prescribed it;

(b) on receipt of a written request from a denturist,

(i) make or alter a complete denture and provide the denture to the denturist who requested it, and

(ii) make or alter a partial denture or overdenture and provide the denture to the denturist who requested it, if the request is accompanied by a prescription;

(c) without a prescription, make minor alterations to a removable dental appliance and provide the altered dental appliance to the person who requested it, if the original design of the dental appliance is not changed.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), only a registrant who is a dental technician may provide a service that includes the performance of an activity set out in subsection (1).

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person who is engaged solely in the business of making or supplying, in commercial quantities, articles for use by registrants, denturists, dentists or medical practitioners.

Limit on services

6   A registrant who is a dental technician may not perform intra-oral procedures or take oral impressions, other than for the purpose of making or altering a mouthguard designed or offered for temporary protection against injury during sporting activities.