Act Respecting the NB College of Dental Hygienists
On June 19, 2009, the Act Respecting the NB College of Dental Hygienists received Royal Assent in the NB Legislature. Previous to this Act, the profession of dental hygiene was regulated by the NB Dental Society.
The role of the new College will be to ensure that dental hygiene practitioners in the province of NB meet high professional standards and to ensure that these standards are maintained throughout their career by implementing a continuing competency program. The purpose of the College is advancing and maintaining the standard of dental hygiene in the Province and of governing and regulating the profession. This new Act will allow extended practice for dental hygienist by enabling them to provide clinical care as a collaborative primary health care provider in both private and public health care settings, including long-term care facilities, hospitals and designated oral health programs. Increasing access to oral health care by dental hygienists’ provides additional opportunities to help improve the oral and overall health of New Brunswickers.
The NB College of Dental Hygienists will also be responsible for dealing with complaints and the disciplining of their members.