Governance Modernization at RCDSO

Good governance is the foundation of effective regulation, accountability, and sustained public trust and confidence. It ensures decisions are consistently made in the public interest - guided by transparency, integrity and fairness.

RCDSO has built a strong governance foundation. Now we take the next step: implementing a Governance Modernization Framework to strengthen accountability, transparency and effectiveness. Our goal is to lead the way in regulatory excellence.

These reforms will make our governance model more agile, inclusive and forward looking - equipped to anticipate emerging challenges in dentistry and oral health care.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded throughout the framework, ensuring decisions reflect the diverse needs and lived experiences of the communities we serve.

Key Changes

  • Council Size: Transitioning from 12 to 10 elected Council members for a streamlined structure that supports efficient decision-making.
  • Annual Province-Wide Elections: Moving from biennial district-based elections to annual province-wide elections for vacant seats, enabling broader representation and engagement.
  • Competency and Diversity Profile (2025): Applicants will be assessed against the updated Competency and Diversity Profile for RCDSO Council Members.
  • Enhanced Candidate Competency-Based Assessment: Improvements to the current candidate assessment process will attract qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the profession and will ensure Council members bring the skills and perspectives needed for effective oversight.
  • Three-Year Terms: By 2027, elected members will serve three-year terms with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
  • Staggered Terms: Terms will be staggered to maintain continuity and stability.

Implementation Timeline

The transition will occur in phases over the next two years:

  • 2026: Province-wide elections will be introduced; the candidate competency-based assessment process will be grounded in the updated Competency and Diversity Profile for Council Members, 2025; Council size will be slightly reduced from 12 to 10 members; and staggered terms will launch. Seven dentists will be elected to either a one-, two-, or three-year term, based on their vote totals.
  • 2027: Structural changes will be fully embedded. Starting in December 2027, three or four Council dentists will be up for election for a three-year term.

Next Steps

Engagement with registrants will continue to ensure transparency and understanding throughout the 2026 transitional province-wide election. The call for applications will be issued in August 2026, marking a key milestone for Ontario dentists to participate in RCDSO’s regulatory work.