Graduate of Domestic Non-Accredited or International Registered Dental Assisting Program

To legally practise in Manitoba, all registered dental assistants must complete a registration and certification process with the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA).

Graduate of Domestic Non-Accredited Registered Dental Assisting Program
Only some registered dental assisting programs in Canada are considered accredited. To confirm your status visit the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada for a list of accredited programs in Canada.

If your registered dental assisting program is not accredited, you are a graduate of a domestic non-accredited registered dental assisting program and must complete the appropriate registration and licensing process.

If your registered dental assisting program is accredited, see Dental Assistant: Graduate of Domestic Accredited Registered Dental Assisting Program.

Graduate of International Registered Dental Assisting Program
If you graduated from a registered dental assisting program outside of Canada, you are a graduate of an international registered dental assisting program and must complete the appropriate registration and certification process.

Accreditation > USA  
Canada recognizes USA registered dental assisting programs that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of America (CODA). If your registered dental assisting program is accredited, you will NOT have to complete STEP 3: Clinical Practice Evaluation of the registration and licensing process.

Visit the American Dental Association for a list of USA programs accredited by CODA.

Start Here

The Manitoba System

Registered Dental assisting is a regulated profession in most provinces in Canada. This means that the profession sets its own standards of practice and that a regulator must authorize you to work as a registered dental assistant. Each province and territory has its own regulator and registration and licensing requirements.

In Manitoba, the profession is regulated by the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA).

IMPORTANT

The Government of Canada will review your registered dental assisting skills and experience, and may select you to immigrate if it is confident you can find work and contribute to the economy. But the Government of Canada cannot guarantee that you are qualified to work as a registered dental assistant in Manitoba. Only the Manitoba regulator—the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA)—can determine this through the registration and certification process.

Registration and Certification Process

To legally practice registered dental assisting in Manitoba, you must be registered and certified by MDA. To become registered and certified by MDA, you must complete the appropriate process outlined in Graduate of International or Domestic Non-Accredited Registered Dental Assisting Program.

Task 1: Immigration

The registration and licensing process can take a long time and cost a lot of money. 

Before you spend time and money on the registration and licensing process, contact one of these immigration authorities to ensure that you meet the immigration requirements:

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) 

Task 2: Language Requirements

Some parts of the registration and certification process are conducted in both of Canada’s official languages, English and French. Others are conducted in English only:

Step 1. National Dental Assisting Examining Board of Canada (NDAEB)

Language: English

  • All application forms must be completed in English
  • All exams must be completed in English
  • All required documents must be written in English or must be translated into English and notarized. This means that your required documents must be translated and then signed and stamped by a qualified person such as a notary public who verifies that the translation has been completed by a qualified individual

You must be proficient in English to complete these steps with the NDAEB and you have 3 attempts to complete each step before retraining is required:

  • STEP 1: NDAEB Written Exam
  • STEP 2: NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE)

Step 2.  Manitoba Dental Association (MDA)

Language: English only

  • All application forms must be completed in English
  • All required documents must be written in English or must be translated into English and notarized. This means that your required documents must be translated and then signed and stamped by a qualified person such as a notary public who verifies that the translation has been completed by a qualified individual

There are no language proficiency requirements for STEP 4: Important MDA Registration Information and Applications. However, we recommend that you have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in English. This will increase your chance of success with the registration and licensing process as well as success with career in registered dental assisting in Manitoba.

Notarized Translations

The Immigrant Centre provides referrals to cost-effective translation services. The Immigrant Centre also provides free notary public services for permanent Manitoba residents.

Immigrant Centre
100 Adelaide Street
Winnipeg, MB     
R3A 0W2

Phone: (204) 943-9158
Fax: (204) 949-0734
icmanitoba.com

Free Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Test

While the MDA does not have strict language benchmark requirements, you must be able to converse with and understand MDA staff during the registration and certification process.  The Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC) can provide you with a free Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT). The test will determine your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. If you need to improve your level of English, WELARC may refer you to a free English class.

Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC)
400-275 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB    
R3B 2B3

Phone: (204) 943-5387
Fax: (204) 943-9614 
[email protected]
welarc.net 

TIP

Use Manitoba’s online resources to improve your level of English from your home computer:

Task 3: Financial Help

Coming Soon. Please revisit at a later date.