April 15, 2026 | British Columbia

Dental assistants help dentists and other oral health professionals provide safe and efficient patient care. In British Columbia, however, what a dental assistant can do depends partly on whether they are a chairside dental assistant or a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA)*. 

As of April 1, 2026, the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) uses Licensed Dental Assistant as the licence category. The previous designation was Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). The change in terminology did not change the roles of LDAs or chairside dental assistants or the existing delegation and supervision framework. 

Understanding that distinction is important because dental assisting in BC is not simply a list of duties. Some clinical services can only be performed when the appropriate training, delegation and supervision requirements are met. 

Dental Assistant Roles in BC: Chairside vs. Licensed 

BC's current BCCOHP bylaws distinguish a dental assistant from a Licensed Dental Assistant. 

A chairside dental assistant does not hold an LDA licence. An LDA is licensed by BCCOHP and can be delegated a broader range of clinical services. BCCOHP bylaws effective April 1, 2026 

The key difference is therefore licensure and the range of clinical services that can be delegated, not simply administrative work versus clinical work. For a fuller comparison, read Licensed vs. Chairside Dental Assistant in BC: What's the Difference?. 

What Does a Chairside Dental Assistant Do in BC? 

Chairside dental assistants help keep the treatment area, dentist and patient prepared throughout an appointment. 

• Preparing treatment rooms and equipment 
• Sterilizing instruments and supporting infection control 
• Passing instruments during procedures 
• Managing suction and moisture control 
• Preparing dental materials 
• Supporting patient flow 
• Maintaining records 
• Helping with dental office tasks 

But chairside assistants are not limited to administrative or extra-oral work. 

Under BCCOHP's current bylaws, dentists or dental therapists may delegate certain services to either an LDA or a dental assistant. Examples include dispensing restorative material into a prepared cavity, applying topical anaesthetic, placing and removing dental dams and clamps, and supporting or removing impression materials after they have been placed by the dentist. BCCOHP delegation rules 

That is an important change from the way dental assisting is sometimes described online. A chairside assistant's role can include certain clinical activities when the applicable training, delegation and supervision requirements are satisfied. 

What Can a Licensed Dental Assistant Do in BC? 

An LDA can perform chairside duties and may also be delegated a broader range of intra-oral clinical services. 

Under BCCOHP's bylaws, services that can be delegated specifically to LDAs include: 

• Removing certain extrinsic stains from teeth 
• Applying specified anticariogenic and desensitizing agents 
• Obtaining impressions and occlusal records 
• Applying and adjusting fissure sealants 
• Placing and removing matrices and wedges 
• Using and maintaining certain coronal whitening systems 
• Removing sutures 
• Removing periodontal dressings and retraction cords 

These activities remain subject to the applicable delegation, training and supervision requirements. BCCOHP bylaws 

This broader range of delegated services is one of the main practical differences between an LDA and a chairside dental assistant. If you want to understand these clinical skills in more detail, read What Is Intra-Oral Dental Assisting in BC?. 

Can Dental Assistants Take X-Rays in BC? 

Yes, but radiography is not exclusive to LDAs. 

BCCOHP permits intra-oral x-rays to be delegated to: 

• A Licensed Dental Assistant 
• A dental assistant who has successfully completed the applicable dental radiography module 

The delegated radiography must also be performed under the required supervision. BCCOHP bylaws 

This is why it would be inaccurate to say that only LDAs can take dental x-rays in BC. 

What Do Delegation and Supervision Mean in BC? 

Many dental assisting activities in BC are performed through delegation. 

That means an authorized oral health professional gives specific instructions for another person to perform an aspect of care. The professional making the delegation remains responsible for the delegated service. BCCOHP bylaws 

Most of the dental-assisting activities described in BCCOHP's delegation rules must be performed under indirect supervision. 

Under the bylaws, indirect supervision means the supervising professional is: 

• At the same location 
• Immediately available for consultation, assistance and intervention 

So an LDA having a broader clinical scope does not mean working independently of the dentist or other authorized professional for delegated procedures. BCCOHP bylaws 

Can LDAs Perform Orthodontic or Prosthodontic Duties? 

Some additional services require specific expanded training beyond the standard LDA pathway. 

For example, an LDA who successfully completes the applicable orthodontic module may be eligible to perform delegated services such as: 

• Placing and removing orthodontic separators 
• Removing certain orthodontic components 
• Removing excess adhesive material 
• Providing instructions on the use and care of orthodontic appliances 

Additional orthodontic activities may also be delegated when the applicable training and supervision requirements are met. BCCOHP bylaws 

BCCOHP also recognizes a prosthodontic module for certain additional delegated services. These expanded functions are not automatically part of every LDA's scope simply because the person holds an LDA licence. The required training and BCCOHP confirmation must also be completed. BCCOHP bylaws 

What Skills Does a Dental Assistant Need? 

Because dental assistants work closely with both patients and clinicians, technical ability is only part of the role. 

• Attention to detail: Instrument preparation, infection control and clinical procedures require accuracy. 
• Communication: Dental assistants regularly interact with patients, dentists and other team members. 
• Organization: Treatment rooms, materials, patient records and schedules all need coordination. 
• Manual dexterity: Chairside and intra-oral procedures require controlled, precise movements. 
• Infection prevention: Dental assistants must understand and consistently apply appropriate infection-control practices. 
• Professional judgement: Assistants need to understand what they are trained and authorized to do and when to seek direction. 

For an LDA, understanding BC's delegation and supervision framework is also an important part of professional practice. 

How Do You Become a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC? 

For graduates following the accredited-program pathway, the process is relatively straightforward: 

• Complete a CDAC-accredited dental assisting program 
• Meet the applicable NDAEB examination requirements 
• Obtain the NDAEB Certificate 
• Apply to BCCOHP for an LDA licence 

BCCOHP states that graduates of accredited BC dental assisting programs who successfully complete the NDAEB written examination are eligible to apply for licensure. BCCOHP LDA initial licence information 

For the complete pathway, read How to Become a Dental Assistant in BC. 

How CDI College's Dental Assisting Training Connects to BC Practice 

CDI College's Dental Assisting diploma program is offered in Burnaby and Surrey and takes 55 weeks to complete. The program is CDAC-accredited. 

Training covers areas that connect directly with dental assisting practice in BC, including: 

• Chairside dental assisting 
• Dental radiography 
• Infection prevention and control 
• Dental materials 
• Dental assisting ethics and jurisprudence 
• Intra-oral dental assisting 
• Dental specialties and practice management 

Clinical and Practical Training 

Students practise clinical and laboratory skills during the program and complete 175 hours of mandatory outside practical experience: 

• 75 hours during Phase I 
• 100 hours during Phase II 

The program's intra-oral courses include training in areas such as impressions, fissure sealants, matrices and wedges, topical agents and other clinical procedures relevant to LDA practice.  

NDAEB Preparation 

Because CDI College's BC Dental Assisting program is CDAC-accredited, graduates can proceed to the applicable NDAEB examination pathway. Recent results include a 100% NDAEB pass rate for both Burnaby and Surrey in the June 2025 sitting.  

Completing the program or passing the NDAEB examination does not itself grant an LDA licence. Graduates must still meet BCCOHP's licensing requirements. 

The Bigger Picture: What Does a Dental Assistant Really Do in BC? 

A dental assistant's role in BC is broader than simply preparing rooms or passing instruments. 

Chairside dental assistants can support treatment and may perform certain delegated clinical services when the appropriate requirements are met. Licensed Dental Assistants follow a formal education, NDAEB and licensing pathway that allows them to take on a broader range of delegated intra-oral responsibilities. 

If you want hands-on dental training and the opportunity to pursue that broader LDA scope, CDI College's Dental Assisting diploma program provides the educational and practical training that supports the pathway. 

Request more information for availability, details and financial options.