Learn more about the Canadian Dental Care Plan

Professional Liability Program

The Professional Liability Program (PLP) has provided assistance to Ontario dentists for over 50 years. PLP staff and RCDSO Council members have been dedicated to the promotion of patient safety and responsible dentistry. 

Decision to divest from PLP

The RCDSO has operated the Professional Liability Program, providing essential liability coverage to Ontario dentists. Much has changed over that time, including governance and public expectations. It became clear that to continue the program as part of the regulatory college meant ongoing reputational, regulatory and financial risk. RCDSO is one of the few regulatory colleges in Canada that operate an in-house program.

A Task Force, including experts in liability as well as dentists, was established to advise Council. At its December 7th, 2023 meeting, RCDSO Council directed staff to explore the transfer of the Professional Liability Program (including current liabilities and staff) to a third-party operator with the goal of allowing the program to continue to operate, under separate ownership. Council made it clear that the College should seek a third-party that would meet key objectives:

  • Maintain minimum coverage of $2 million
  • Set the same fee level for all licenced dentists
  • Offer coverage in a group model
  • Keep lifetime tail coverage
  • Integrate all PLP employees
  • Continue to support dentists beyond claims process
  • Sustain current PLP policies
  • Share data with the College to support trend analysis

The Procurement Review Group, consisting of Council members, was created to guide the divestment process and meets regularly with the College’s procurement advisor, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Council has been updated on the process of divestment as it progresses through 2024 and 2025. If you would like to view Council deliberations on this topic, they are available on our YouTube channel.

It is business as usual. All claims are processed today as they have been. Dentists are covered for all of 2025 as part of registration and will be for 2026 too. The College will continue to require dentists to maintain adequate liability protection, which is consistent with other Ontario health Colleges and the expectations of the RHPA.