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Important update: Upcoming licence class changes 

We have been working to notify oral health professionals affected by the upcoming licence class changes through targeted email communications to:

A summary of the above listed communications is provided below. Additional information will be shared closer to the start of the 2026/2027 renewal period. 

Learn more about BCCOHP’s work to prepare for the transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) >>

Questions? 

Email registration@oralhealthbc.ca. 

Direct emails were sent to the groups listed below between December 2025 and January 2026. We have since become aware that, due to widespread technical issues experienced by our email marketing service provider, some of these messages may not have been delivered to or received by all intended recipients. This issue has now been resolved and all emails have been resent. 

Non-practising oral health professionals  

Non-practising status ending April 1, 2026  

An important change is coming for oral health professionals with a non-practising status. With the upcoming Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), BC health regulators will move from a registration model to a licensure model. As a result, under the BCCOHP bylaws being developed to align with the HPOA, the non-practising status will no longer exist as of April 1, 2026.   

What this means for you 

If you currently hold a non-practising registration or certification, you will need to choose one of the following options before March 31, 2026: 

  • During the 2026/27 online renewal period, transfer to a practising licence in the same designated health profession and class for which you last held registration/certification and become a practising licensee effective April 1, 2026 
  • Resign before March 31, 2026, or take no action, both of which will result in you becoming a former licensee effective April 1, 2026  

If you want to return to practice later 

Former licensees will have two options to return to practice in the future:  

  • Apply for reinstatement within three years of the date you were last registered/licensed  
  • Apply for a licence if more than three years have passed since you were last registered/certified/licensed  

Any changes to your status can be handled via the routine annual renewal process beginning in February 2026. We are providing this information now, so you have time to consider your options. 

Registered Dental Hygienists and Dental Hygiene Practitioners 

Transition to a single Dental Hygienist licence in 2026 

Under the BCCOHP bylaws being drafted to align with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), the Registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Hygiene Practitioner classes will be replaced by a single licensed Dental Hygienist class. 

As of April 1, 2026, all Registered Dental Hygienists and Dental Hygiene Practitioners will transition to the Dental Hygienist licence class. 

What this means for you 

  • The transition will happen automatically at renewal 
  • No action is required from you 
  • Your scope of practise will not change 
  • Private dental hygiene practices may continue through the transition on April 1 with no further action required
  • You may continue to use any academic credentials granted by your educational institution 
  • All Licensed Dental Hygienists will be able to own a private dental hygiene practice (e.g., corporation, sole proprietorship) and/or engage in private dental hygiene practise.
    • If practising through a corporation, a Health Profession Corporation Permit is required.

Limited (Armed Forces or Government) dentists 

Upcoming changes to limited dental licence classes 

Under the BCCOHP bylaws being drafted to align with the upcoming Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), the Limited (Armed Forces or Government) Dentist class will be discontinued as of April 1, 2026. 

What this means for you 

Your licensing requirements will depend on where you practise:

  • If you practise solely on Department of Defence bases, no BCCOHP licence will be required, provided you are registered as a dentist in another province 
  • If you practise in a public practice, including any work off base, and are not currently registered as a full dentist in BC, you will need to hold a Full Dentist licence 

Limited (Academic Grandparented) dentists 

Upcoming changes to limited dental licence classes 

Under the BCCOHP bylaws being drafted to align with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), the Limited (Academic Grandparented) class will be discontinued as of April 1, 2026. 

What this means for you 

At renewal, you will need to select the appropriate licence based on your practice activities:

  • If you provide dentistry services only within an educational facility, you may be eligible for a Limited (Academic) licence 
  • If you provide dentistry services outside an educational setting, you will need a Full Dentist licence 

Limited (Education and Volunteer) dentists 

Upcoming changes to limited dental licence classes

Under the BCCOHP bylaws being drafted to align with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), the Limited (Education and Volunteer) class will be discontinued as of April 1, 2026. 

What this means for you 

At renewal, you will need to select the appropriate licence based on your practice activities:

  • If you provide dentistry services only within an educational facility, you may be eligible for a Limited (Academic) licence 
  • If you provide dentistry services outside an educational setting, including volunteer work, you will need a Full Dentist licence 

Denturist Students and Dentist (Post-Graduates) 

What the transition to the HPOA means for oral health students 

With the transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), BC health regulators will move from a registration model to a licensure model. As a result, BCCOHP will no longer regulate students enrolled in oral health education programs as of April 1, 2026. 

What this means for you 

  • You may continue educational activities required to complete your program, provided they take place in a facility affiliated with that program 
  • You will still be required to apply for a BCCOHP licence once you complete your program and meet eligibility requirements 
  • Not holding a BCCOHP licence will not affect your ability to: 
    • Participate in required practicums 
    • Take part in community work programs 
    • Complete educational activities connected to your program 

No action is required from you at this time. As a result of this change, the renewal process will no longer apply to students, and you will not receive a renewal notice. 

Temporary and Limited Certified Dental Assistants 

Regulation of Temporary and Limited Certified Dental Assistants under the HPOA 

With the transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), BC health regulators will move from a registration model to a licensure model.

What this means for you 

The HPOA will only provide one class of Licensed Dental Assistant. That means that as of April 1, 2026, Temporary and Limited Certified Dental Assistants will transition to being Licensed Dental Assistants. You will then have up to one year to complete your outstanding conditions and must do so by March 31, 2027, or you will become “dental assistants” until these application requirements are met.   

What is changing 

Under the HPOA:  

Full Certified Dental Assistants 

Regulation of Certified Dental Assistants under the HPOA 

We are writing to update you on the regulation of Certified Dental Assistants under the new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), which comes fully into effect April 1, 2026. Under the HPOA, Certified Dental Assistants will continue to be regulated by BCCOHP. 

What this means for you 

The new legislation (HPOA) or accompanying BCCOHP bylaws will not impact:  

  • Your ability to continue working in dental practices 
  • Delegation and supervision requirements  
  • The roles of Certified Dental Assistants or chairside dental assistants 

No action is required from you at this time. 

What is changing 

With the upcoming HPOA, health regulators in BC will move from a registration model to a licensure model. As a result, under the HPOA: