Dental Association Act

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Dental Association Act. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 1.

Interpretation

2 In this Act,

"Association" means the Nova Scotia Dental Association;

"bylaw" means a bylaw of the Association;

"Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Association;

"former Act" means Chapter 3 of the Acts of 1992, the Dental Act;

"licensed dentist" means a person licensed under the Regulated Health Professions Act to practise dentistry;

"Registrar" means the person appointed under the Regulated Health Professions Act as the registrar for the regulatory body of the profession of dentistry. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 2.

Nova Scotia Dental Association continued

3 The Nova Scotia Dental Association continued under the former Act is continued as a body corporate. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 3.

Objects of Association

4 The objects of the Association are to

(a) advance the art and science of dentistry;

(b) inform and educate the general public with respect to the advantages and maintenance of good oral health;

(c) initiate and sustain measures designed to improve the oral health of the public;

(d) hold meetings, clinics and seminars to increase the knowledge and abilities of those engaged in dentistry in the Province;

(e) support publications for communication with and between members of the Association;

(f) maintain communications with other health professions and with other health agencies, both public and private; and

(g) promote the welfare of its members. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 4.

Powers of Association

5 The Association may

(a) buy, sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise deal with real or personal property;

(b) manage the business and other activities of the Association and invest funds of the Association not immediately required;

(c) determine its annual membership fees;

(d) publish journals and other publications to advance the objects of the Association;

(e) elect or appoint members to serve as representatives of the Association at or on national, regional or local associations or groups;

(f) negotiate on behalf of its members with persons or agencies, including government agencies, in matters respecting the practice of dentistry;

(g) assist individual members in matters respecting the practice of dentistry;

(h) make bylaws not inconsistent with this Act or any other enactment for the conduct and management of its affairs, including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, bylaws respecting membership in the Association, including membership of persons who are not licensed dentists; and

(i) exercise such powers as are necessary or conducive to achieve its objects and exercise its powers. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 5.

Agreements between Association and Crown in right of the Province

6 (1) The Association may enter into agreements with the Crown in right of the Province that bind its members and, for that purpose, is constituted the sole bargaining agent for any and all licensed dentists.

(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Association may enter into agreements with respect to

(a) the tariff of fees, other systems of payment and the management of the delivery of dentistry services; and

(b) any other matter that may be agreed between the Association and the Minister of Health and Wellness or the Minister's agents.

(3) For greater certainty,

(a) nothing in this Section requires the Crown in right of the Province to enter into any agreement with the Association; and

(b) this Section does not apply with respect to dentists who are employed by the Department of Health and Wellness, including dentistry consultants and advisers to the Department. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 6.

Executive Director of Association

7 (1) The Association shall appoint an Executive Director of the Association, upon such terms and conditions of employment and for such term of office as the Association determines.

(2) The Executive Director has such functions and duties as are provided by this Act and the bylaws. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 7.

Membership of Association

8 Every licensed dentist is a member of the Association and shall remit annual membership fees to the Executive Director on or before such date as is prescribed by the bylaws. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 8.

Executive Committee of Association

9 (1) The Association shall elect, in the manner set forth in the bylaws, an Executive Committee from among its members in good standing.

(2) The Executive Committee shall carry on the general management of the business and other activities of the Association in accordance with this Act and the bylaws and has such functions and duties as are imposed on it by this Act and the bylaws. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 9.

Meetings of Association

10 (1) The Association shall hold an annual meeting in each calendar year and shall hold other general meetings in accordance with the bylaws.

(2) The Executive Committee shall determine the time and place of the meetings of the Association.

(3) Thirty members of the Association constitute a quorum. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 10.

Transitional

11 Any person who, immediately before the coming into force of this Act, was a member of the Association continues to be a member of the Association until that membership expires, lapses or otherwise is terminated in accordance with this Act. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 11.

Transitional

12 Any person who, immediately before the coming into force of this Act, was a member of the Executive Committee continues to hold office until the expiration of the term for which the person was elected. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 12.

Effective date

13 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation. 2024, c. 7, Sch. A, s. 13.