A Continuing Competence Program (CCP) is a system for assessing, maintaining and monitoring ongoing knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgments of a professional practitioner. It is a way of ensuring a high level of expertise, competence and appropriate ethics in performing the job. It is also:

• Mandatory under the Health Professions Act (HPA) (2000)
• Designed to provide flexibility and ease for member professional development requirements
• Recognizes the dental assistant as a professional
• Provides the practitioner with the opportunity to direct learning to their own practice and career plans

CADA has developed the CCP to provide each dental assistant with the tools to assess the areas which pertain to their own individual current practices and the ability to direct their learning to enhance their professional role and shape their career. It recognizes the professional’s responsibility to reflect on their own role and develop a Learning Plan to ensure continued competence.

Health Professions Act (2000)

The Health Professions Act (HPA) governs all regulated health professions in Alberta to protect the public. The HPA sets out basic registration and continuing competence requirements. It is mandated that health professions have a system for assessment of competency as the basis for registration.  Each health profession must establish and maintain a continuing competence program to maintain and enhance the provision of professional services by its members.  All health professions are required to establish a Continuing Competence Program, to set up a Competence Committee, and report to Alberta Health and Wellness. The continuing competence programs of each health profession are designed to ensure all care received is quality care regardless of who is providing the service.

Specific detail regarding the CADA Continuing Competence Program can be found in the Dental Assistants Profession Regulation.

For more information on the Health Professions Act, check the Alberta Government website or the website of Alberta Health and Wellness.

What's in it for Me? 

• Public safety
• Professional integrity
• Personal and professional growth
• Career Advancement
• Increased use of knowledge and skills