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CDHNS BRIEFING NOTE
Title: ART, IST and other forms of minimal invasive restorative treatment
Date: May 18, 2015, updated Jan 2016
Issue: Can Atraumatic Restorative Technique (ART) Interim Therapeutic,
Restorations (ITR) and Interim Stabilization Technique (IST) be performed by DH
in Nova Scotia?
BACKGROUND – The CDHNS has received several inquiries from members regarding the use of
Atramatic Restorative Treatment (ART) and /or Interim Stabilization Therapy (IST), and IRT by dental
hygienists in Nova Scotia. (see information on techniques attached)
CURRENT STATUS
Recently the CDHA has been conducting courses in ON under the name IST which is similar to ART and ITR
but not exactly the same technique. Other DH regulatory bodies across Canada are examining their
legislation to determine the use of these techniques by dental hygienists. Alberta has allowed ART with
training and limitations for some time now, other provinces have been looking at the use of these techniques
in their province as well.
CONSIDERATIONS
1. Legislation in Nova Scotia
Regulation 25: Actions prescribed as included in practice of dental hygiene
The following actions are prescribed under clause 22(1) (b) of the Act as being included in the scope of
practice of dental hygienists, and dental hygienists are authorized to carry out the following actions under
the specified conditions:
(d) performing orthodontic and restorative procedures, only if under the written order of a
dentist.
Regulation 26:
Actions prescribed as excluded from practice of dental hygiene
The following actions are prescribed under clause 22(1)(c) of the Act as being excluded from the scope of
practice of dental hygienists, and dental hygienists are not authorized to carry out the following actions:
(a) diagnosis, other than diagnosis for dental hygiene services and interventions set out in Section
22 of the Act;
(b) dental treatment planning, other than planning for dental hygiene services and interventions
set out in Section 22 of the Act;
(c) severing or cutting hard or soft tissue, other than curettage coincidental to scaling teeth
or root planing;
2. Benefit to the public, particularly underserved populations
3. Advancement of the profession
CDHNS Briefing Note –ART/IST May 2015
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QUESTIONS
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Does it fall within the scope of practice under the regulation?
Is it of benefit to the public?
Do members in NS want to use these techniques?
OPTIONS
Option 1
Regulation is interpreted to allow ART and /or IST.
Option 2
Regulation does not allow – no action
Option 3
Take the scope of practice issue to the Regulated Health Professions Network for a
collaborative process
Option 4
Confer further with legal on interpretation of the legislation.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
Option 1- registrar to develop policy and education guidelines, develop course
Option 2- none
Option 3- research time for registrar, legal fees and cost to the CDHNS to have the
Network look at the matter
Option 4- Legal fee
AUTHOR(S)
Registrar – Patricia Grant
Background material – Practice Advisor Kim Haslam, Dalhousie University
CDHNS Briefing Note –ART/IST May 2015
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