The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking feedback from dental hygienists, the public, and other interested parties on proposed Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations.

The proposed regulations would move the regulation of the dental hygiene profession from the Dental Auxiliaries Act to the Health and Social Services Professions Act, the “umbrella” Act that intends to support a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of all health and social services professionals in the NWT. This approach will foster improved access to dental services and aligns us with national standards, while also broadening the scope of practice for dental hygienists.

The regulations being proposed address current practice restrictions. For example, they remove the requirement that dental hygienists work under the direction and control of a dentist. Additional scope expansions will be completed in a second phase once the necessary legislative amendments that currently prohibit the expanded scope activities are complete.

Residents and other interested parties are invited to review the draft regulations and provide feedback by emailing dhssregs_feedback@gov.nt.ca by October 15, 2025.

For more details and to access draft regulations, please visit:

• https://haveyoursay.nwt-tno.ca/dental-regulations

For media requests, please contact:
Matthew Mallon
A/Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
hssmedia@gov.nt.ca