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Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Framework
This document lists 43 KSAs that are required for the safe and effective practice of a beginning dental
practitioner in Canada. The KSAs in this document are organized into three groups and 15 categories.
GROUP A: Multi-discipline (23 KSAs)
These KSAs apply to more than one discipline or area of practice. The KSAs in this group are organized into two
categories: Patient Assessment and Treatment Plan and Management.
GROUP B: Discipline-specific (11 KSAs)
These KSAs are specific to dentistry practice in one of nine disciplines/areas of practice: Oral Medicine and
Pathology, Radiology, Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Operative, Oral Surgery, and Pain
(9 categories).
GROUP C: General (9 KSAs)
The KSAs are organized into four categories: Scientific Literature, Communication, Professionalism and Practice,
and Health Promotion.
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GROUP A: Multi-Discipline KSAs
1 Patient assessment and treatment plan
1.1 Exam
1.1.1 Obtain the patient’s chief complaint, medical, psychosocial, and dental histories.
1.1.2 Perform a clinical examination.
1.1.3 Assess patient-specific risk factors for oral disease or injury.
1.2 Diagnosis
Differentiate between normal and abnormal hard and soft tissues of the maxillofacial
1.2.1
complex.
Interpret the findings from the patient’s chief complaint, medical, psychosocial, and
1.2.2 dental histories, along with the clinical and radiographic examinations, and diagnostic
tests.
1.2.3 Develop a problem list and establish diagnoses.
1.3 Treatment Plan
1.3.1 Determine when consultation, referral, and/or further diagnostic testing are indicated.
Communicate relevant patient information for consultation/referral with health care
1.3.2
professionals.
Develop treatment options based on the evaluation of all relevant data (i.e., obtained
1.3.3 from the patient’s chief complaint, medical, psychosocial, and dental histories, along with
the clinical and radiographic examinations, and diagnostic tests).
Engage the patient in the discussion of the findings, diagnoses, etiology, risks, benefits,
1.3.4
time requirements, costs, responsibilities, and prognoses of the treatment options.
1.3.5 Develop a comprehensive, prioritized and sequenced treatment plan.
1.3.6 Obtain and record informed consent.
2 Management
2.1 Prevention
2.1.1 Promote measures to prevent oral disease/injury in response to identified risk.
2.1.2 Provide therapies for the prevention of oral disease/injury.
2.1.3 Implement measures to prevent medical emergencies from occurring in dental practice.
2.1.4 Implement measures to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
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2.2 Treatment
2.2.1 Manage the anxious or fearful patient.
2.2.2 Manage dental emergencies.
2.2.3 Manage medical emergencies that occur in dental practice.
2.2.4 Manage trauma to the orofacial complex.
2.2.5 Manage occlusal function.
2.2.6 Prescribe and administer pharmacotherapeutic agents used in dentistry.
2.2.7 Manage complications, outcomes and continuity of care.
GROUP B: Discipline-Specific KSAs
3 Oral medicine and pathology
3.1 Manage oral mucosal and osseous diseases.
4 Radiology
4.1 Prescribe, make and interpret radiographs.
5 Periodontics
5.1 Manage conditions and diseases of the periodontium.
6 Endodontics
6.1 Manage diseases and injury of the pulp.
7 Prosthodontics
7.1 Manage partially and completely edentulous patients.
8 Orthodontics
8.1 Manage abnormalities of orofacial growth and development.
9 Operative
9.1 Restore carious lesions and manage other defects in teeth.
10 Oral surgery
10.1 Manage surgical procedures related to oral soft and hard tissues.
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11 Pain
11.1 Achieve local anesthesia for dental procedures.
11.2 Manage odontogenic pain.
11.3 Manage non-odontogenic pain.
GROUP C: General KSAs
12 Scientific literature
Evaluate the scientific literature and justify management recommendations based on
12.1
the level of evidence available.
13 Communication
Communicate effectively with patients, parents, guardians, staff, peers, other health
13.1
professionals and the public.
14 Professionalism and practice
Know ethical and legal obligations (e.g., confidentiality requirements, task delegation,
14.1
commitment to continued professional development, patient-centred care).
14.2 Maintain accurate and complete patient records.
14.3 Manage occupational hazards related to the practice of dentistry.
14.4 Take appropriate action when signs of abuse and/or neglect are identified.
14.5 Know principles of practice administration, financial and personnel management.
15 Health promotion
15.1 Recognize the determinants (influencing factors) of oral health.
15.2 Promote oral health within communities.
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