As of Monday, dental hygienists in the Northwest Territories now have the legal right to practise without supervision by a dentist, its government announced. Under the first phase of the newly enacted Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations — a change anticipated since 2023.
Previously, all dental hygienists had to operate under the direction and control of a dentist — a requirement seen by officials as a significant barrier to expanding oral health services across the territory.
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Registered hygienists can now deliver preventative care such as cleanings, fluoride rinses and, in some cases, preventive treatments for minor cavities — services highlighted by media as key to improving oral health access. The reforms also introduce a continuing-competency program, and expand the general scope of practice.
The regulatory change stems from a private member’s bill introduced in March 2023 by Caitlin Cleveland, who argued that independent practice would help address the persistent shortage of dental providers in remote communities, the CBC reported.
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Still, dental professionals and community advocates caution that the reforms may not automatically translate into better access. While the new regulations remove the need for dentist supervision, they do not yet expand the full practice scope — more advanced procedures remain off-limits until the second phase of regulation is implemented.
As well, with just a small number of hygienists licensed in the territory, challenges remain in attracting and retaining clinicians willing to serve remote and Indigenous communities.