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Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Alert

Government's holiday closure runs from December 24 to January 1, 2025. For emergency supports, please visit alberta.ca or call the Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135.

Health and Social Services

Dental Technologist and Technician

Dental technologists and technicians fabricate, duplicate, alter, and repair prosthetic and orthodontic devices. They also fit devices when fitting is incidental to fabrication, duplication, alteration, or repair.

Contact

College of Dental Technologists of Alberta (CDTA)
Suite 302
8657 – 51st Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6A8
Canada

Call: 780-469-0615

Email: membersinfo@cdta.ca
Website: cdta.ca

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Dental Technologists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta (CDTA) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:

  • Meet the requirements for registration and provide professional services directly to the public
  • Manufacture dental appliances
  • Teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession
  • Supervise registered members who provide services to the public
  • Use the titles and initials: dental technologist, registered dental technologist, RDT, dental technician, registered dental technician, or DT

What You Need

To become a registered dental technologist (RDT) in Alberta, you need successful completion of:

  • An approved 2-year dental technology program of studies
  • The Dental Technology Entry-to-Practice Assessment (DTETPA) in all 4 components of dental technology

The 4 components of dental technology are:

  • Removable full prostheses
  • Removable partial prostheses
  • Fixed partial prostheses
  • Fixed and removable orthodontic and periodontal appliances

To become a registered dental technician (DT) in Alberta, you need successful completion of:

  • An approved 2-year dental technology program of studies
  • The DTETPA in 1 or more components of dental technology

There are other registration categories for dental technologists and technicians.

A temporary-conditional member:

  • Has met the academic requirement for RDT or DT but has not completed the DTETPA
  • Must work under the direct supervision of another regulated health professional

Applicants who have been out of practice for a period also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice.

For details about all registration requirements, contact the CDTA or visit the CDTA website.

Working in Alberta

Dental technologists and technicians who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory body elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if their scope of practice and competencies are similar.

For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the CDTA website.

The certification information in this profile may change at any time and without notice. Before making any career decisions, we advise you to contact the regulatory organization or visit their website for the most updated information.

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