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Dental Hygiene Profession

Scope of Practice

Dental hygienists are regulated health professionals focused on improving the oral health of individuals - which ultimately supports better overall heatlh. They help prevent and treat diseases of the teeth and gums through evidence-based, client-centered care. In Nova Scotia, dental hygienists work in a variety of roles. i.e., researchers, clinicians, consultants, administrators, managers, educators, or health promoters.

As of May 1, 2025, new regulations under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) has modernized how dental hygienists provide care in Nova Scotia - making it more efficient and accessible, with a continued focus on public safety. 

How Dental Hygienists Deliver Care

In Nova Scotia, dental hygienists follow a dental hygiene process of care known as ADPIE, which helps guide safe, personalized treatment for every client. This process ensures that every decision made is informed, safe, and tailored specifically to you. Here's how it works: 

  • Assessment (A): Dental hygienists gateher a complete picture of your health. This includes reviewing your medical and dental history, identifying risk factors (like certain health conditions or medications), and understanding your personal oral health goals. 
  • Dental hygiene Diagnosis (D): Based on the assessment, dental hygienists identify (diagnose) oral health conditions such as gum disease (periodontal disease) and cavities (tooth decay) - both of which are within their scope*. If something falls outside their scope, they will consult with, or refer you to, another healthcare professional.  
  • Planning (P): They then create an individualized care (treatment) plan, using evidence-based strategies that best meet your needs.  If anything in your health history could affect treatment, they will consult with the appropriate healthcare provider before moving forward. 
  • Implementation (I):  Dental hygienists provide the agreed-upon services safely and effectively. They will explain the care, answer your questions, and make sure you've given your informed consent before proceeding.   
  • Evaluation (E): tAfter care is provided, they monitor how things are progressing. They adjust the care plan as needed and may coordinate follow-up care or refer you to another provider when necessary. 

       * Like all regulated professionals, dental hygienists may only perform procedures they are indidivudally educated, competent, and authorized to do.  

Core Services Dental Hygeinists Provide

Dental hygienists in Nova Scotia are authorized to provide many important services to support oral health, including: 

  1. Periodontal therapy: (e.g., periodontal debridement, often called scaling and rootplaning)
  2. Dental X-rays: Dental hygienists can order, take, and interpret (diagnose) dental X-rays for dental hygiene care. As of May 1, 2025, x-rays are still within scope of practice, and are guided by updated professional standards.  
  3. Diagnosiing Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
  4. Oral Health Education: for individuals and communities.
  5. Other Preventive/Therapeutic Treatments: including applying fluoride and dental sealants to prevent cavities (tooth decay).
  6. Teeth Whitening
  7. Dental Hygiene Practices (mobile and store-front clinics): Dental hygienists may own and operate dental hygiene clinics. At this time, there are 13 dental hygiene practices in the province. 

Additional Authorizations

  1. Dental hygienists who meet the requirements set out by the NSRDHDTD can apply for authorization to perform the following procedures:
    a. Administering local anesthesia (freezing) - as of May 1, 2025, no written order is quired from a dentist or physcian for this procedure
    b. Perform permanent restorative procedures (e.g., fillings) in collaboration with a dentist
    c. Perform orthodontic procedures in collaboration with a dentist
    d. Prescribe certain drugs - A prescribing standard, outlining authorization requirements and Standards of Practice, is currently under development and will be provided as soon as it becomes available. 

Dental hygienists are required to maintain privacy and confidentiality, in accordance with legislation, regarding medical, dental, and personal information at all times.

If you have questions about the care you've received - or about the scope of practice for dental hygienists - please contact us. We are here to help.   

Licensure Requirements

To become a dental hygienist in Nova Scotia, individuals must meet specific requirements. These include:

  1. Education: Completion of a Board-approved dental hygiene diploma or degree program (or equivalent) is required.
    a. Applicants who obtained their dental hygiene education from a non-approved dental hygiene program must meet the additional requirements, as required by legislation. 
    b. Currently, there are 35 educational institutions (Colleges and Universities) that offer dental hygiene programs across Canada.
    c. In Nova Scotia, dental hygiene education is offered at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry. There are two options offered at Dalhousie – a three-year Bachelor of Dental Hygiene degree (includes the pre-professional year) and a Bachelor of Dental Hygiene with Honours Program, which offers an additional year where students take a series of courses which build upon the knowledge base of the degree program.
  2. Licensure: To practice legally in the province, individuals must be issued a practising licence from the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism (NSRDHDTD).
  3. Professional Designations: Individuals who hold a practising licence with the NSRDHDTD are entitled to call themselves “registered dental hygienists” or “dental hygienists” or use the initials “D.H.” or “R.D.H”.
  4. National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination: Dental hygienists must pass the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) (offered through the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada) to demonstrate their competency in dental hygiene.
  5. Continuing Education: Dental hygienists are required to engage in the NSRDHDTD Dental Hygiene Continuing Competency Program and complete ongoing professional development and continuing education activities to maintain their licensure. Dental hygienists are expected to engage in activities that address and promote continuing competence, inter-professional collaboration, changes in practice environments, standards of practice, and the latest advancements in the field.
  6. Practice Hours: Dental hygienists are required to complete 600 practice hours within the three-year period immediately preceding an application, including renewals.