Code of Ethics for

Dental Assistants
Canadian Dental Assistants Association
Suite 200, 440 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X6

cdaa.ca A guide for professional

conduct and ethical decisions
[email protected]
1-800-345-5137
 Preamble Practice of a Dental Assistant

The Code of Ethics of the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association is intended As multi-skilled professionals, dental assistants possess a diverse knowledge
for use in the practice of dental assisting as a guide for professional conduct base and apply clinical skills, administrative principles and practitioner
and for ethical decisions. autonomy through assignment and delegation of duties within provincial
legislation. Dental assistants communicate effectively and collaborate with
The Code of Ethics reflects the values of the profession of dental assisting
all members of the oral health care team in the delivery of patient-centred
based on the principles of veracity, integrity and respect. The Code is intended
care. Dental assistants are educated professionals who maintain technical
for application in all clinical, educational, administrative and institutional
competence through advanced or continuing education.
settings. It is the obligation of all dental assistants to be familiar with the Code
and incorporate its guidelines and obligations in their practice. Adherence to
the Code will maintain public trust in our profession.
Responsibilities to Patients
By endorsing and complying with the Code of Ethics, dental assistants will
ensure that ethical commitments to patients, the public, community and the CONFIDE NTI A LIT Y

profession are fulfilled. The dental assistant shall protect and maintain the confidentiality of all patient
records and respect a patient’s right to privacy and dignity within legal limits
The Code shall be a guideline to augment the licensing/certifying and and professional responsibilities. Further, they will ensure that all confidential
regulating policies within each federal, provincial and territorial jurisdiction. and proprietary information acquired in the course of duty is used solely in the
patient’s best interests.

INFORME D CONSE NT
The primary health care provider may delegate to the assistant the

The Code of Ethics of the Canadian responsibility to explain treatment recommendations to the patient. The
dental assistant will provide information to the extent of their knowledge

Dental Assistant’s Association is to assist the patient in understanding the proposed treatment options. The
dental assistant will obtain informed consent, respect the patient’s autonomy

intended for use in the practice of dental and their right of choice.

assisting as a guide for professional DE NTA L JURISPRUDE NCE

Dental assistants shall endorse and uphold their legal obligations (local,

conduct and for ethical decisions. provincial, territorial and federal) as they pertain to dentistry and the laws
of Canada.

The relationship between the dental patient and the dental assistant is one
of trust, morality and responsibility. The dental assistant will uphold these
fiduciary responsibilities and protect the best interests of the patient at all times.

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Responsibilities to Patients Cont’d Responsibilities to the Profession
In all clinical, educational, institutional and emergency situations, the dental
EQUA LIT Y A MONG PROFE SSION A L S
assistant shall maintain the standards of care in a reasonable, prudent, and
The dental assistant shall assume the responsibilities and ethical obligations
professional manner.
required to provide and promote quality oral health care and service.
Acts of omission and commission that cause injury or harm to a patient will be
The dental assistant shall be open and honest in all relationships with
considered professional negligence.
members of the oral health care team and the public.
ACCOUNTA BILIT Y
RE PRE SE NTATION
The dental assistant has an ethical responsibility for all procedures they
Dental assistants are recognized by the public as a distinct health care
perform during the delivery of patient care. Full disclosure to the proper
profession. Therefore the dental assistant has a responsibility to uphold the
authorities of any problems arising during the provision of care is required.
highest principles and standards of the profession, promoting the profession
COMFOR T A ND WE LFA RE in the advancement of quality oral health care and service.
The dental assistant will provide optimum oral health care to all patients with
PROFE SSION A L CONDUC T
a focus on the health, welfare and security of the person.
The dental assistant will perform, to the highest standards, only those duties
within assigned authority as outlined in licensing / certifying and regulating
legislation within the provincial, territorial or federal jurisdictions governing
Responsibilities to the Public and Community professionals.

HUM A N RIGHT S Dental assistants will endeavour to protect the profession, the oral health
The dental assistant will uphold the principles of dignity, equity, fairness and care team and the public by reporting to regulatory authorities all actions that
respect for all individuals. contravene provincial, territorial or federal jurisdictions.

E N V IRONME NTA L PROTEC TION The dental assistant has an obligation to maintain membership, to support and
The dental assistant will take every measure in the fulfillment of their duties participate in the initiatives of the local, provincial and national professional
to minimize their impact on the environment and to promote environmentally associations. The dental assistant will maintain and comply with legislation
friendly practices. / regulation and relevant continuing education requirements to remain in
good standing with their representative professional bodies and regulatory
COMMUNIT Y PA R TICIPATION
authorities.
The dental assistant will contribute, through education and service, to
promotional activities and initiatives designed to advance oral and general The dental assistant shall not compromise the reputation of the profession
health care knowledge and service. by dishonest or illegal behaviour and shall not misrepresent qualifications or
abilities in the fulfillment of their duties and obligations.

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Responsibilities to the Profession Cont’d

INDE PE NDE NT FUNC TIONING A ND AUTONOM Y

The dental assistant shall assume all responsibility for functions legally
delegated to dental assistants within their respective provincial, territorial
and federal jurisdictions. The dental assistant will promote a scope of practice
suited to the knowledge and experience attained or attainable by members of
the profession and always in the interest of patient welfare.

COLL A BOR ATI V E RE L ATIONSHIPS

The dental assistant will co-operate with all members of the oral health care
team in the best interests of patient health and welfare.

CONTRIBUTIONS
The dental assistant will support the mission, goals and objectives of their
local provincial and national associations. Dental assistants will contribute
time, skill, talent and expertise to these associations throughout their careers,
for the betterment of successive generations of professional dental assistants.

TECHNOLOGIC A L A DVA NCE S A ND CONTINU ING E DUC ATION

The dental assistant will maintain continued competence, theoretical
knowledge and awareness of technological advancements through education
programs, professional literature and peer associations.

The dental assistant will maintain and practice the highest standards of
competence and proficiency in the performance of their duties and will
encourage the sharing of new methods, education and knowledge.

RE SE A RCH
The dental assistant will support and pursue legitimate research as it pertains
to the profession of dental assisting, and the advancement of oral health.

Protect yourself and your patients

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