Learn. Connect. Grow.
Learn. Connect. Grow.
Dr. Mintoo Basahti graduated from the University of Alberta School of Dentistry and practiced as a general dentist in rural Alberta for over 30 years. He owned and managed a large private practice that focused on a team-based approach to patient care, he practiced all areas of general dentistry and had hospital privileges that allowed him to provide more complex procedures for his patients.
Dr. Basahti has always been motivated to be involved in his community and did so by serving on the Executive of his local Lions Club and Rotary Club. He was on the founding board and was the first President of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in his local community.
Additionally, he has been involved in organized dentistry for 20 years. First by serving on the Board of the Edmonton & District Dental Society, then on Executive, and eventually he served a term as President of EDDS. Dr. Basahti was also on the Canadian Dental Association Dental Benefits Committee that liaised with the Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association to better understand and develop dental benefits for the betterment of Canadians.
He was on the Executive of University of Alberta Dental Alumni Association and served two terms as President. In 2024 he was honoured as Alumni of the Year.
He sat on the Alberta Dental Association & College Competence Committee for 5 years and served as its Chair. Through his involvement with the then ADA&C, Dr. Basahti became more interested in the governance of the practice of dentistry in Alberta. This led to his election to the ADA&C Council which led to 10 years of service to the profession and the public in Alberta. During these 10 years, Dr. Basahti served in many roles: Chair of the Audit Committee twice, Chair of the Governance Committee twice, and two terms as President. He was also the Chair of the committee that was tasked with taking the lead on the divestiture of association functions from the Alberta Dental Association & College. The ultimate work of this committee led to the ADA&C changing to the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) and the framework for the creation of the Alberta Dental Association.
For the past 4 years Dr. Basahti has been the Deputy Registrar of the CDSA. One of the most enjoyable parts of his role is being an initial point of contact for questions from dentists, team members as well as members of the public. This role has allowed him to interact with a wide range of individuals and help them to understand and navigate legislation and the foundational documents that govern the profession of dentistry in Alberta.
Dr. Mark Bochinski was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He received his B.Sc. from the University of Alberta in 1989 and then completed his dental degree in 1993 from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. He practiced in Norman Wells and Barrhead, before returning to Edmonton in 1997, where he has been in private practice since.
In 2005, he became a part-time instructor with the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He served as president of the Edmonton and District Dental Society from 2005-2006. He served as a council director of the ADA&C from 2008-2012, and became president of the ADA&C in 2013.
Dr. Bochinski is currently working in a contract position for the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta as the Chief Dental Advisor for the Professional Conduct Department.
Sarah Van Tassel is the Director, Communications and Public Relations with the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA), where she leads strategic communications initiatives that support the organization’s public protection mandate and engagement with Alberta dentists and stakeholders. Her work spans regulatory communications, educational programming and engagement, and special projects that support the evolving needs of the dental profession. Sarah is passionate about creating meaningful conversations, connecting people, and helping complex topics become accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
Dental practice is full of grey areas: unclear communication, incomplete documentation, evolving treatment plans, handoffs between providers, and small comments that can unintentionally lead to bigger concerns.
Moderated by Sarah Van Tassel, Director of Communications and Public Relations with the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA), Dr. Mintoo Basahti and Dr. Mark Bochinski will explore real-world scenarios that dental teams encounter every day. Rather than offering one “right” answer, the discussion will focus on how professional judgment, clear communication, sound record keeping, and respectful collaboration can help teams navigate complex situations with confidence.
Participants will hear practical perspectives on informed consent, patient records, continuity of care, complaint prevention, and communication between providers, patients, and the broader dental team. The session will connect these everyday challenges to CDSA Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics in a way that is practical, relatable, and useful across the clinic.
Whether you work chairside, at the front desk, or in clinical decision-making, this session will offer practical clarity on CDSA-regulated areas and show how different members of the dental team can navigate the same issue in different ways while staying aligned around shared professional responsibilities.
Learning Objectives
