Canada — Quebec Act or statute

Canada — Quebec legislation

Dental Act, 1973

The Minister of Labour is responsible for administering this Act.

Source excerpt

board governancecertificate regulationcompliancecorporate governancedefinitionsdental care qualitydental servicesdentistrydentistry practicedentistry practice restrictionsdocument productionelectionsemployee hiringhealth care governanceinstitutional oversightinvestigationslicensingministerial administrationpermitsprescriptionsprivilege/confidentialityprofessional codeprofessional conductprofessional disciplineprofessional governanceprofessional orderprofessional registerregulatory conditionsscope of practicespecial permitsspecial specialist’s permitspecialist certificationstatutory exceptionsstatutory repealterm limits

Jurisdiction: Canada — Quebec
Structure: 46 provisions
Official identity: Year 1973
Dates: Enacted 1973 · Source version 10 Jun 2026

More statute details

Dates: Enacted 1973 · Source version 10 Jun 2026

On this page

Professional statute overview

Enactment structure, operative effect and source provenance

Official source

Purpose and legislative effect

“The Minister of Labour is responsible for administering this Act.”

Use this record to locate individual provisions, understand the instrument’s recorded structure, and move from a research summary to the exact source text.

How the instrument operates

01
Start with the recorded version

Enacted 1973 · Source version 10 Jun 2026. The date shown identifies this source expression and should not be treated as proof that no later change exists.
02
Locate the controlling provision

Use the provision map, part headings and full-text filter to move from the broad subject to the exact legal language.
03
Read conditions and exceptions together

Keep subsections, definitions, provisos and cross-references in context before drawing a legal conclusion.
04
Verify currency and official wording

Confirm later legislation, commencement notices and corrections with the official publisher before advice, filing or reliance.

Research entry points

Selected provisions across the instrument. Open any row to continue with the exact stored text.

Document

The Minister of Labour is responsible for administering this Act.

Document

Section 11

The choice of appointed directors must be made at the same time as the elections for elected directors.

Section 11

Section 21

Section 21 is repealed.

Section 21

Section 31.1

The board of directors may issue a special specialist’s permit and corresponding specialist’s certificate to a person who meets the regulatory terms and conditions.

Section 31.1

Schedule

Chapter 49 of the statutes of 1973 is repealed, except sections 40 to 49 and 51.

Schedule

Source and current-law status

Source record view

Source record from www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca · Enacted 1973 · Source version 10 Jun 2026

Verify current force

The source record does not state a definitive current-law status. Check the official publisher and later amendments before relying on this text.

For advice, pleadings, or compliance decisions, retain the official source and confirm the current consolidated provision.

Official record

Source-indexed provision map

Sections and provisions

Search by section, heading, part or exact legal wording. Every result remains linked to the stored source record.

Search within this statute

Search all stored provisions in this version.

Showing 46 of 46 provisions

Provision 28Repeal 16Offence 2

§ —DocumentProvision

Source excerpt

The Minister of Labour is responsible for administering this Act.

The Minister of Labour is responsible for the administration of this Act. Order in Council 1165-2025 dated 10 September 2025, (2025) 157 G.O. 2 (French), 5419.

DocumentVerify source

§ 1Section 1Repeal

Source excerpt

This section defines key terms used in the Act and its regulations, including “Order,” “board of directors,” “dentist/member of the Order,” “permit,” “institution,” and “roll.”

1. In this Act and the regulations made thereunder, unless the context indicates a different meaning, the following terms mean: (a) “Order”: the Ordre des dentistes du Québec constituted by this Act; (b) “board of directors”: the board of directors of the Order; (c) “dentist” or “member of the Order”: any person entered on the roll; (d) “permit”: a permit issued in accordance with the Professional Code (chapter C-26) and this Act; (e) (paragraph repealed); (f) “institution”: an institution within the meaning of the Act respecting the governance of the health and social services system (chapter G-1.021), the Act respecting health services and social services for the Inuit and Naskapi (chapter S-4.2) or the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5); (g) “roll”: the list of the members in good standing of the Order prepared in accordance with the Professional Code and this Act. 1973, c. 49, s. 1; 1974, c. 65, s. 81; 1977, c. 5, s. 229; 1992, c. 21, s. 148; 1994, c. 40, s. 298; 1994, c. 23, s. 23; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2023, c. 34, s. 994.

Section 1Verify source

§ 2Section 2Provision

Source excerpt

Dentists qualified to practise dentistry in Québec constitute a professional order named the Ordre professionnel des dentistes du Québec, or the Ordre des dentistes du Québec.

2. All the dentists qualified to practise dentistry in Québec constitute a professional order called the “Ordre professionnel des dentistes du Québec” or the “Ordre des dentistes du Québec”. 1973, c. 49, s. 2; 1977, c. 5, s. 229; 1994, c. 40, s. 299.

Section 2Verify source

§ 3Section 3Provision

Source excerpt

Subject to this Act, the Order and its members must be governed by the Professional Code (chapter C-26).

3. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Order and its members shall be governed by the Professional Code (chapter C-26). 1973, c. 49, s. 3.

Section 3Verify source

§ 4Section 4Provision

Source excerpt

4. The head office of the Order shall be at Montréal or at any other place in Québec determined by regulation of the board of directors adopted pursuant to paragraph f of section 93 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26). 1973, c. 49, s.

Section 4Verify source

§ 5Section 5Provision

Source excerpt

Proceedings against the Order must be served on the secretary or one of his assistants at the Order’s head office.

5. Every proceeding directed against the Order must be served upon the secretary or one of his assistants, at the head office of the Order. 1973, c. 49, s. 5.

Section 5Verify source

§ 6Section 6Provision

Source excerpt

The Order must be governed by a board of directors constituted as prescribed in the Professional Code.

6. The Order shall be governed by a board of directors constituted as prescribed in the Professional Code (chapter C-26). 1973, c. 49, s. 6; 1994, c. 40, s. 301; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2017, c. 11, s. 107.

Section 6Verify source

§ 7Section 7Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 7 is repealed.

7. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 7; 1974, c. 65, s. 109; 1994, c. 40, s. 302; 2017, c. 11, s. 108.

Section 7Verify source

§ 8Section 8Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 8 is repealed.

8. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 8; 1994, c. 40, s. 303.

Section 8Verify source

§ 9Section 9Provision

Source excerpt

Presidential elections must be held every four years, with timing depending on whether the president is chosen by members or by directors.

9. Elections for the office of president shall be held every four years on the first Monday in October if the president is elected by a general vote of the members entered on the roll, or at the first meeting of the board of directors after that date if the president is elected by the directors. When the president is elected by the directors, the board of directors shall be deemed to be regularly constituted, notwithstanding that the number of directors is reduced by one. The president is elected for a term of four years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. 1973, c. 49, s. 9; 1999, c. 40, s. 101; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2017, c. 11, s. 109.

Section 9Verify source

§ 10Section 10Provision

Source excerpt

Elections for the office of elected director must be held on the first Monday in October every two years.

10. Elections for the office of elected director shall be held on the first Monday in October every two years. They shall provide for the replacement of those elected directors whose term is about to expire. 1973, c. 49, s. 10.

Section 10Verify source

§ 11Section 11Provision

Source excerpt

The choice of appointed directors must be made at the same time as the elections for elected directors.

11. The choice of the directors appointed by the Office des professions du Québec shall be made at the same time as the elections for elected directors. When this choice is made, provision shall be made to replace the appointed directors whose term is about to expire. 1973, c. 49, s. 11; 1974, c. 65, s. 109.

Section 11Verify source

§ 12Section 12Provision

Source excerpt

The directors must be elected or appointed for a four-year term.

12. The directors shall be elected or appointed, as the case may be, for a term of four years. 1973, c. 49, s. 12; 2017, c. 11, s. 110.

Section 12Verify source

§ 13Section 13Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors must choose a vice-president by secret ballot at its first meeting after the last Monday in October each year.

13. At the first meeting of the board of directors following the last Monday in October of each year, the members of the board of directors shall by secret ballot designate a vice-president from among the elected members. If an executive committee is constituted under section 96 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26), the president and vice-president shall be members of the committee by virtue of office. At the same meeting, another member of the executive committee shall be designated by secret ballot of the members of the board of directors from among the members appointed by the Office and two other members shall be designated by secret ballot by the members of the board of directors from among the elected members. 1973, c. 49, s. 13; 1974, c. 65, s. 82; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2017, c. 11, s. 111.

Section 13Verify source

§ 14Section 14Provision

Source excerpt

If the president is absent or unable to act, the vice-president replaces the president.

14. If the president is absent or unable to act, he shall be replaced by the vice-president. 1973, c. 49, s. 14; 1999, c. 40, s. 101.

Section 14Verify source

§ 15Section 15Repeal

Source excerpt

The board of directors must advise the Minister of Health and Social Services or Santé Québec, as applicable, on dental care quality and the standards needed to improve it.

15. In addition to the duties contemplated in the Professional Code (chapter C-26), the board of directors shall: (a) advise the Minister of Health and Social Services or Santé Québec, as applicable, on the quality of dental care provided in the centres operated by the institutions and the standards to be followed to improve the quality of such care; (b) (paragraph repealed); (c) (paragraph repealed); (d) (paragraph repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 15; 1985, c. 23, s. 24; 1992, c. 21, s. 149, s. 375; 1994, c. 40, s. 304; 2008, c. 11, s. 180, s. 212; 2023, c. 34, s. 995.

Section 15Verify source

§ 16Section 16Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors may order inquiries into the quality of dental care in the centres operated by the institutions and may set up a committee of inquiry for that purpose, when carrying out duties under paragraph a of section 15.

16. In the performance of the duties assigned to it by paragraph a of section 15, the board of directors may have inquiries made into the quality of the dental care provided in the centres operated by the institutions and may constitute a committee of inquiry for that purpose. 1973, c. 49, s. 16; 1992, c. 21, s. 150, s. 375; 2008, c. 11, s. 212.

Section 16Verify source

§ 17Section 17Offence

Source excerpt

No person may hinder, mislead, or refuse to provide information or documents to a member of a committee of inquiry under section 16.

17. It is forbidden to hinder in any way a member of a committee of inquiry constituted under section 16 in the performance of his duties, to mislead him by concealment or false declarations or refuse to provide him with any information or document relating to an inquiry which he holds under this Act. Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties provided in section 188 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26). 1973, c. 49, s. 17.

Section 17Verify source

§ 18Section 18Provision

Source excerpt

The board may investigate ethics, discipline, and professional honour matters. For the inquiry, it must delegate a member of the Order, who may obtain useful information from dentists, patients, Santé Québec, and institutions. Those persons may not invoke professional secrecy. If there is refusal to answer or produce a related document, the Order may seek a Superior Court order equivalent to contempt of court.

18. The board of directors may inquire into any matter relating to the ethics of dental practice, the discipline of the members of the Order or the honour and dignity of the profession. For the purposes of such inquiry, the board of directors shall delegate a member of the Order who shall have the right to obtain from any dentist, from any patient, from Santé Québec or from any institution all the information he considers useful, and professional secrecy may not be invoked by any of them. In the case of refusal to answer or to produce a document related to the inquiry, the Order may obtain, on application duly served on the person interested, an order of the Superior Court equivalent to an order for contempt of court. 1973, c. 49, s. 18; 1992, c. 21, s. 375; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2023, c. 34, s. 996.

Section 18Verify source

§ 18.1Section 18.1Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors must send certain information to the relevant council when requested or on its own initiative.

18.1. The board of directors shall, on request or on its own initiative, send the information obtained by a committee of inquiry, the professional inspection committee or a syndic to the council of physicians, dentists and pharmacists or to the council of physicians, dentists, pharmacists and midwives, as applicable, established for the institution to which a dentist contemplated in an inquiry is attached, that it believes useful to the exercise of the functions of the council. 1981, c. 22, s. 36; 1984, c. 47, s. 209; 1992, c. 21, s. 151, s. 375; 2008, c. 11, s. 181, s. 212; 2023, c. 34, s. 997.

Section 18.1Verify source

§ 19Section 19Repeal

Source excerpt

The board of directors must make regulations about certain activities and prescription standards, and it must consult specified bodies before adopting the regulation under subparagraph (a).

19. In addition to the duties provided in sections 87 to 93 of the Professional Code (chapter C‐26), the board of directors shall by regulation: (a) determine from among the activities contemplated in sections 26 and 27 those which, under certain prescribed conditions, may be engaged in by classes of persons other than dentists; (b) (subparagraph repealed); (c) determine the standards for the form and content of verbal or written prescriptions made by a dentist. The board of directors shall, before passing a regulation under subparagraph a of the first paragraph, consult the Office des professions du Québec and the professional orders to which the persons contemplated in the regulation belong or, if there are no such orders, the representative bodies of such classes of persons. Sections 95.2 and 95.3 of the Professional Code apply to any regulation adopted pursuant to subparagraph c of the first paragraph. 1973, c. 49, s. 19; 1974, c. 65, s. 109; 1994, c. 40, s. 305; 2000, c. 13, s. 57; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2020, c. 15, s. 33.

Section 19Verify source

§ 19.1Section 19.1Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors may make a regulation to establish special specialist’s permits issued with a specialist’s certificate.

19.1. The board of directors may, by regulation, establish special specialist’s permits to be issued together with a specialist’s certificate. Such a regulation must contain the reasons justifying the issue of such a permit and determine the terms and conditions for issuing it as well as the title, abbreviation and initials its holder may use. Section 95.0.1 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26) applies to any regulation adopted pursuant to the first paragraph. 2017, c. 11, s. 112.

Section 19.1Verify source

§ 20Section 20Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 20 is repealed.

20. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 20; 1974, c. 65, s. 109; 1989, c. 29, s. 1; 1994, c. 40, s. 306.

Section 20Verify source

§ 21Section 21Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 21 is repealed.

21. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 21; 1983, c. 54, s. 35; 1994, c. 40, s. 306.

Section 21Verify source

§ 22Section 22Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 22 is repealed.

22. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 22; 1994, c. 40, s. 306.

Section 22Verify source

§ 23Section 23Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 23 is repealed.

23. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 23; 1994, c. 40, s. 307.

Section 23Verify source

§ 24Section 24Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 24 is repealed.

24. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 24; 1985, c. 21, s. 96; 1988, c. 41, s. 88; 1993, c. 51, s. 72; 1994, c. 16, s. 50; 1994, c. 40, s. 307.

Section 24Verify source

§ 25Section 25Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 25 is repealed.

25. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 25; 1994, c. 40, s. 307.

Section 25Verify source

§ 26Section 26Provision

Source excerpt

26. The practice of dentistry consists in assessing and diagnosing any deficiency of the teeth, mouth and jaws and of adjacent tissue, and in preventing and treating diseases of the same in order to maintain or restore oral health in human

Section 26Verify source

§ 27Section 27Provision

Source excerpt

27. The following activities in the practice of dentistry are reserved to dentists: (1) diagnosing deficiencies and diseases; (2) prescribing diagnostic examinations; (3) using diagnostic techniques that are invasive or entail risks of injury; (4) determining a treatment plan; (5) prescribing medications or other substances; (6) prescribing procedures or treatments; (7) using techniques or applying treatments that are invasive or entail risks of injury, including aesthetic procedures; (8) prescribing the fabrication or repair of a dental prosthesis or a dental appliance; (9) selling dental prostheses or dental appliances; and (10) providing clinical monitoring of the condition of persons whose state of health is problematic. 1973, c. 49, s. 27; 2020, c. 15, s. 35.

Section 27Verify source

§ 28Section 28Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 28 is repealed.

28. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 28; 2020, c. 15, s. 36.

Section 28Verify source

§ 29Section 29Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 29 is repealed.

29. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 29; 1994, c. 40, s. 308.

Section 29Verify source

§ 30Section 30Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors may grant a temporary permit, under conditions it sets, to certain professors of health sciences at a Québec university even if they do not meet the usual permit conditions.

30. The board of directors may issue, on the conditions it determines, a temporary permit to any person who does not fulfil the conditions for issue of the permit, but is engaged as a professor of health sciences in a university of Québec. Such permit shall be valid for the term of the engagement of such person as a professor. 1973, c. 49, s. 30; 1994, c. 40, s. 309; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2009, c. 35, s. 49.

Section 30Verify source

§ 31Section 31Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors may grant a restrictive permit to a person who does not meet the normal permit conditions, and the permit holder may only do the professional activities specifically authorized by the permit.

31. The board of directors may grant on the conditions it determines, to any person who does not fulfil the conditions for issue of the permit, a restrictive permit which shall be annual and renewable. The holder of such permit shall not engage in professional activities other than those specifically authorized by his permit. 1973, c. 49, s. 31; 1994, c. 40, s. 310; 2008, c. 11, s. 212; 2020, c. 15, s. 37.

Section 31Verify source

§ 31.1Section 31.1Provision

Source excerpt

The board of directors may issue a special specialist’s permit and corresponding specialist’s certificate to a person who meets the regulatory terms and conditions.

31.1. The board of directors may issue a special specialist’s permit to practise professional activities in the field of a class of specialization it defines under paragraph e of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26), together with a specialist’s certificate corresponding to that class of specialization, to every person who meets the terms and conditions for its issue determined by regulation adopted under the first paragraph of section 19.1. 2017, c. 11, s. 113.

Section 31.1Verify source

§ 31.2Section 31.2Provision

Source excerpt

Section 42.1 of the Professional Code applies, with necessary modifications, when a person under section 31.1 must satisfy regulatory conditions to obtain a special specialist’s permit.

31.2. Section 42.1 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26) applies, with the necessary modifications, when the person referred to in section 31.1 must meet one of the conditions set out in a regulation adopted under the first paragraph of section 19.1 to obtain a special specialist’s permit. The training that the order may require a person to acquire under such a regulation is referred to in the second paragraphs of sections 15 and 16.24 of the Professional Code. 2017, c. 11, s. 113.

Section 31.2Verify source

§ 32Section 32Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 32 is repealed.

32. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 32; 1994, c. 40, s. 311.

Section 32Verify source

§ 33Section 33Repeal

Source excerpt

Section 33 is repealed.

33. (Repealed). 1973, c. 49, s. 33; 1994, c. 40, s. 311.

Section 33Verify source

§ 34Section 34Provision

Source excerpt

A dentist may use needed medication, substances, and instruments in the practice of the profession, administer and prescribe medication to patients, and issue attestations about the supplying of medication.

34. Every dentist may use the medication, substances and instruments that he may need in the practice of his profession and administer and prescribe medication to his patients. He may also issue attestations relating to the supplying of medication. 1973, c. 49, s. 34.

Section 34Verify source

§ 35Section 35Provision

Source excerpt

A dentist must not have a direct or indirect interest in a business that fabricates or sells dental prostheses or dental appliances.

35. No dentist may have a direct or indirect interest in an undertaking for the fabrication or sale of dental prostheses or dental appliances. If an interest in such an undertaking devolves to him by succession or otherwise, he shall dispose of it immediately. However, a dentist may have one dental prosthesis and appliance technologist as an employee. 1973, c. 49, s. 35; 2020, c. 15, s. 38.

Section 35Verify source

§ 36Section 36Provision

Source excerpt

A person may not practise dentistry under a name other than his own.

36. No person may practise dentistry under a name other than his own. Nevertheless, dentists shall be allowed to practise their profession under the name of one or two or more of the partners. The name of any partner who has ceased to practise his profession may appear in the name for a period of not more than three years from the date he ceased to practise, provided his name appeared in the name at the time he ceased to practise. 1973, c. 49, s. 36; 1989, c. 29, s. 2.

Section 36Verify source

§ 37Section 37Provision

Source excerpt

A dentist cannot be compelled to disclose information revealed in a professional capacity.

37. No dentist may be compelled to declare what has been revealed to him in his professional character. 1973, c. 49, s. 37.

Section 37Verify source

§ 38Section 38Provision

Source excerpt

A person may not do the activities listed in sections 26 and 27 unless the person is a dentist, subject to stated legal exceptions.

38. Subject to the rights and privileges expressly granted by law to other professionals, no person may engage in any of the activities referred to in sections 26 and 27 unless he is a dentist. This section shall not apply to the activities engaged in: (a) by a person in accordance with the provisions of a regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph h of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26); (b) by a person belonging to a class of persons contemplated in a regulation adopted pursuant to subparagraph a of the first paragraph of section 19, provided he engages in them under the conditions prescribed in the regulation; (c) by students within the framework of a training program for persons other than dentists and contemplated in the regulation passed under subparagraph a of the first paragraph of section 19, provided they engage in them under the conditions prescribed in the regulation. 1973, c. 49, s. 38; 1983, c. 54, s. 36; 1994, c. 40, s. 312; 2009, c. 35, s. 50; 2020, c. 15, s. 40.

Section 38Verify source

§ 39Section 39Offence

Source excerpt

A person who contravenes section 38 is liable to the penalties set out in section 188 of the Professional Code.

39. Every person who contravenes section 38 is liable, for each offence, to the penalties provided in section 188 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26). 1973, c. 49, s. 39.

Section 39Verify source

§ 40Section 40Provision

Source excerpt

40. (This section ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987). 1982, c. 21, s. 1; U. K., 1982, c. 11, Sch. B, Part I, s. 33.

Section 40Verify source

§ —ScheduleRepeal

Source excerpt

Chapter 49 of the statutes of 1973 is repealed, except sections 40 to 49 and 51.

In accordance with section 17 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes (chapter R-3), chapter 49 of the statutes of 1973, in force on 31 December 1977, is repealed, except sections 40 to 49 and 51, effective from the coming into force of chapter D-3 of the Revised Statutes.

ScheduleVerify source

Legislative relationships

3 referenced instruments

Names are derived from the stored provision headings and citation-enrichment layer. Treat this as a research index and verify each relationship against the source text.

G–M

1 instrument

Labour is responsible for administering this Act
Section Document

N–S

2 instruments

Order prepared in accordance with the Professional Code
Section 1
Professional Code
Sections 4, 13, 17, 19, 19.1, 31.1, 31.2, 38, 39

Recorded versions and source checkpoint

1 version available in this collection

Current-law checkpoint

10 Jun 2026 · currentEnglish

This relationship view does not by itself establish whether another instrument remains in force.

Check official source

Source-linked research

Ask AI about this statute

The overview, provisions, and source records above are public. Continue in a separate conversation with this statute’s jurisdiction and source version attached.

Dental Act, 1973

Purpose and legislative effect

How the instrument operates

Start with the recorded version

Locate the controlling provision

Read conditions and exceptions together

Verify currency and official wording

Research entry points

Source and current-law status

Source record view

Sections and provisions

Search within this statute

3 referenced instruments

Recorded versions and source checkpoint

Ask AI about this statute