Intro to PP unit 4

Q: What is the role of the Executive Committee?

A: It supports and facilitates the functions of Council and Committees and makes decisions between Council meetings.

Q: How is the Executive Committee composed?

A: 3 RDHs and 2 Public Members (P).

Q: What does the Registration Committee do?

assesses applicants’ qualifications to practice dental hygiene. The Committee also determines whether further study is needed to meet program, practice, examination and/or good character requirements. It also determines whether any terms, conditions or limitations would be imposed on an application for registration.

Q: Who makes up the Registration Committee?

A: 3 RDHs, 2 Public Members, and 1 Non-Council (NC) member.

What is the mandate of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee?

to investigate complaints, inquiries, concerns or mandatory reports regarding the conduct and actions of registrants in a fair and equitable manner and to dispose of these according to the legislation.

Q: What is the composition of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee?

A: 4 RDHs, 4 Public Members, and 2 NC members.

Q: What does the Quality Assurance Committee do?

 guides the development and implementation of the QA program. It is also responsible for monitoring participation and evaluating the program. (3 RDH, 2 P, 2 NC)

Q: Who sits on the Quality Assurance Committee?

A: 3 RDHs, 2 Public Members, and 2 NC members.

Q: What is the role of the Discipline Committee?

holds hearings of RDHs who have been referred by the Inquiries Complaints and Reports Committee or Executive Committee because of alleged incompetence or professional misconduct. (All Council Members, 2 NC)

Q: Who serves on the Discipline Committee?

A: All Council Members and 2 NC members.

Q: What does the Patient Relations Committee do?

advises Council on matters related to abuse prevention. The Committee also leads College public outreach programs. (2 RDH, 3 P, 1 NC)

Q: What is the composition of the Patient Relations Committee?

A: 2 RDHs, 3 Public Members, and 1 NC member.

Q: What is the responsibility of the Fitness to Practice Committee?

determines if the registrant is suffering from a physical or mental condition or disorder that is, or could adversely affect her or his ability to practice safely. (All Council Members)

Q: Who makes up the Fitness to Practice Committee?

A: All Council Members.

Q: What is the function of the By-Law Ad-Hoc Committee?

created by Council in order to review specific issues that are external to the mandate of statutory committees.

is responsible for reviewing and proposing amendments to bylaws as necessary, reports directly to Council and prepares material for Council decision. (Min. 1 P, 1 RDH, 1 RDH, A)

Q: What is the minimum composition of the By-Law Ad-Hoc Committee?

A: At least 1 Public Member, 1 RDH, and 1 RDH Academic (A).

Q: How does the government view dental hygiene?

A: as a profession, as shown by its inclusion in federal and provincial legislation and in various Acts or statutes that directly affect the practice of dental hygienists.

Q: What is the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) of 1991?

A: It sets the framework for the regulation of all health professions in Ontario, ensuring regulation and coordination in the public's best interest.

Q: Which ministry established the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) 1991?

A: The Ministry of Health.

Q: What does the RHPA 1991 ensure for health professions?

A: That they are regulated in the public’s best interest and maintain appropriate standards of practice.

Q: What does the RHPA 1991 list for the Province of Ontario?

A: The 14 Controlled Acts—considered the most harmful acts.

Q: What is the Health Professions Procedural Code?

A: It is a schedule (appendix) to the RHPA 1991 that outlines the common duties and procedures for each Health College.

Q: What does the Health Professions Procedural Code specify about Dental Hygiene?

A: It states that dental hygiene is a self-regulated profession.

Q: What responsibilities are outlined in the Health Professions Procedural Code?

A: The responsibilities of the Council and the statutory committees of each regulatory body.

Q: What is the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991?

A: It is a distinct statute that governs the practice of dental hygiene in Ontario.

Q: What does the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991 describe?

A: It describes the scope of practice and authorized controlled acts for dental hygienists in Ontario.

Q: What else does the Dental Hygiene Act outline?

A: The specific regulations of the dental hygiene profession.

Q: Under which Acts was the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) established?

A: Under the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991.

Q: What is the role of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)?

A: To regulate the dental hygiene profession in Ontario.

Regulatory Body (CDHO) Mandatory Activities include:

• Registration

• Inquiries, Complaints and Reporting 

• Formal Complaints 

• Investigations 

• Incapacity and Incompetency and Fitness to practice

• Discipline 

• Quality Assurance

Structure of the CDHO: Staff

President 

Vice President

Registrar/Chief Administration Officer

Deputy Registrar and Associate Registrar

Various Committee Coordinators, Liaisons and Practice Advisors

Non-Statutory Committees

Ad-hoc/Standing and Bylaws

Policy and Strategic Planning

Q: What laws authorize the CDHO to govern the dental hygiene profession in Ontario?

A: The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) 1991 and the Dental Hygiene Act (DHA) 1991.

Q: What can the CDHO create

A: Regulations, By-laws, Guidelines, Policies, Advisories, Standards, and Codes.

Q: What are CDHO Regulations also known as?

A: Delegated Legislations.

CDHO Regulations: (Delegated Legislations)

• Part I     - Examinations 

• Part II    - Advertising 

• Part III   - Contraindications to care   

• Part III.1   - Records 

• Part IV    - Notice of Meetings and Hearings 

• Part IV.I   - Conflict of Interest

• Part V     - Professional Misconduct  

• Part VI    - Quality Assurance (General)

• Part VII   - Registration  

• Funding for Therapy and Counselling

• Designated Drugs

Q: What does CDHO By-law No. 5 deal with?

A: Internal administrative matters such as elections to Council, committee composition, registration fees, register content, and reporting by registrants.

Q: What is the importance of CDHO's guidelines, policies, and codes?

A: They are tied to legislated Acts and By-laws and help guide ethical and professional practice.

Q: What must every professional dental hygienist be aware of in their jurisdiction?

A: All Acts, Regulations, By-laws, Guidelines, Policies, Codes, and Standards that govern dental hygiene practice.

Q: Can a dental hygienist claim ignorance of the laws governing their profession?

A: No. They are presumed to be aware of all documents that influence their practice.

Q: How many other Acts (Statutes) have legal implications for dental hygiene practice?

A: Over 44 Federal and Provincial Acts.

Q: Name at other Acts that impact dental hygiene practice.

• The Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (HARP)

• Child and Family Service Act (CFSA)

• Health Care Consent Act (HCCA)

• Substitute Decisions Act (SDA)

• Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

• Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA)

Q: What is self-regulation in a health profession?

A: It is an agreement between a professional group and the government to formally govern the activities of its members.

Q: What does the government grant to a profession in a self-regulation agreement?

A: Self-Regulating Status or Self-Governing Status.

Q: What does self-regulating status identify?

A: The extent of legal authority delegated to the profession’s regulatory body (e.g., CDHO).

Q: What is the main responsibility of a regulatory body under self-regulation?

A: To protect the public by ensuring services are provided in a competent and ethical manner.

Q: What are regulatory bodies expected to develop and enforce?

A: Legislation, regulations, and rules that govern the profession.

Q: What are the three main legal authorities granted under self-regulation?

• The right to set entry standards into the profession

• The right to set standards of practice

• The right to create rules for removal from the profession

Time-line of Canadian Provinces: Self-Regulated Dental Hygiene Status

• Ontario 1994 (College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario)

Q: What is the obligation of a dental hygienist regarding their registration?

A: They must correctly use their professional title and register annually with the CDHO.

Q: What does the duty to cooperate with the CDHO involve?

A: Full compliance with CDHO investigations, audits, and communications.

Q: Name three key areas where dental hygienists have additional legal obligations.

• Professional Misconduct

• Maintaining Records

• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest