June 1, 2001
PROVINCIAL HEALTH MINISTER ADDRESSES COUNCIL
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Tony Clement addressed an open session of Council on the morning of May 31. The Minister congratulated RCDSO for its trailblazing work as a health-care regulatory body in the province. He formally recognized the College for its important work and assistance in a wide number of areas: from input on the proposed privacy legislation, our excellent work in training public and professional members for their roles on committees and Council, and our exemplary role in self-regulation that gives confidence to the public, to members and to government. At the end of June, RCDSO representatives – President Dr. Eric Luks, Registrar Irwin Fefergrad and Chair of the Patient Relations Committee Ben Wiwcharyk – will meet privately with the Health Minister.
AMALGAM WASTE DISPOSAL
The Executive Committee was authorized to engage an expert or experts to assist the College in analyzing the scientific information currently available or to support further scientific investigation to allow the College to present to the government a valid and scientifically supportable position on amalgam waste disposal. The College is already in communication with the Ministry on this subject.
DENTAL AUDITS
Council congratulated the President and the Registrar for working closely with the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) in a collaborative effort on this issue. The three organizations will continue their ongoing negotiations with Health Canada to resolve the issue of intrusive and lengthy audits of dentists involved in Health Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. However, Council did agree to legal proceedings if advisable as a joint effort with either ODA, CDA or both organizations.
ANNUAL FEE ADJUSTMENT
Council supported an unanimous recommendation from the Finance, Property & Administration Committee for an increase in the annual fee payable for the year 2002. The new fee would be $1,310, if paid on or before Dec. 15, 2001 (includes $100 discount), for members who hold a general, academic or specialty certificate of registration. This new annual fee is $40 less than it was eight years ago in 1994. The upcoming issue of Dispatch will contain a detailed report from the Treasurer with a full explanation of the College’s financial picture.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The current Code of Conduct for Council Members was revised to bolster the current by-laws to ensure that Council has the means to deal with serious breaches of the Council member’s responsibility to Council, and with breaches of confidentiality not covered by the provincial Regulated Health Professions Act.
GRANTS TO THE ONTARIO DENTAL SCHOOLS
No decision was reached at Council on this issue. Currently there is no by-law in place to permit these grants. Council reaffirmed that it would not pass any by-law without widespread notice and consultation with the membership. It was reported that, based on focus groups conducted as part of the membership opinion survey, there did not appear to be much enthusiasm for this expenditure.
NEW SEDATION AND GENERAL ANAESTHESIA GUIDELINES
The revised Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anaesthesia in Dental Practices, replacing the November 1995 document, was approved and will be circulated to membership.
NEW VISUAL IDENTITY
A new visual identity program for the College was approved by Council. A comprehensive and cost-effective implementation plan will now be developed with the new identity to be unveiled in the September issue of Dispatch. The new visual identity more accurately reflects the College’s core values of responsiveness, openness and vibrancy and recaptures the important historic heritage of the College as the first dental college in the world and its rich 130-year plus history.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND APPOINTMENT TO COLLEGE COMMITTEES
Changes to the structure of two committees (Complaints and Professional Liability Program) were approved, as were proposed changes to the By-Law No.5 respecting Qualifications and Appointment of Non-Council Members to College Committees. These changes will maintain the random selection process for non-Council members to all College committees except the PLP Committee whose members will be appointed by Council on the recommendation of the Executive Committee. A staggered and increased term for members of the PLP Committee will ensure continuity from one committee term to the next. Changes to the eligibility requirements for appointment were also proposed to enhance the impartiality of committee members. These by-law changes will be circulated to the membership.
RCDSO APPOINTMENTS
The Council approved a number of appointments: Dr. James Wendell Brown as RCDSO’s representative on the National Dental Examining Board of Canada to replace Dr. Philip Watson; Ms. Roberta Corey, newly appointed public member, to the Discipline Committee to replace Mrs. Lynne Arnill; Dr. Larry Parker to the Audit Committee to replace Dr. Bohdan Kryshtalskyj; Dr. Malcolm Yasny as a non-Council committee member to the Discipline Committee to replace Dr. Michael Hamilton; and Dr. Albert Bouclin to the Quality Assurance Committee as a non-Council committee member to replace Dr. Yasny. The Executive Committee reported to Council on the following appointments: Dr. Douglas Johnston and Dr. David Psutka were reappointed to the Dentistry Review Committee and Dr. Eric Luks as the Ontario representative to the Planning Commission of the National Dental Examination Board.
RCDSO AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS TO DENTAL STUDENTS
The College has approved funding of $8200 for split evenly between both provincial dental schools for bursaries, awards, and contingency funding for students in the dental programs.
Publication Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2001