Frequently Asked Questions

What has RCDSO decided about PLP? 

At the December 7th meeting, Council directed staff to proceed with exploring the transfer of the Professional Liability Program (including current liabilities and staff) to a third party, with the goal of allowing the program to continue to operate, under separate ownership.  

Council asked staff to begin the procurement process under the guidance of a procurement review group, as established by the Executive Committee. There will be a report on progress to Council in March 2024. 

Council deliberations are viewable here: RCDSO YouTube 

Is PLP still accepting new claims? 

It is business as usual for PLP and there have been no changes made to the operation of the program. Stability for both patients and dentists will be maintained throughout the transition process. New and existing PLP cases will continue to be handled in the usual manner.  

Once a third party has been selected, additional information will be provided to all registrants. There will be a minimum of 12 months’ notice to the profession prior to a transfer. 

What is the College looking for in a new third-party provider? 

Expectations of the new program include: 

• Minimum liability limits, as determined by the RCDSO. 
• Group insurance model, offering the same rate for all dentists (generalist or specialist) or types of dental procedures performed.  
• Indefinite tail coverage for dentists if they move to another jurisdiction to practice, when they retire, or if they pass away. 
• Acceptance of current PLP policy wording, or close to it, with no unreasonable additional terms, conditions, or exclusions adverse to the profession or public. 
• Coverage in the group model for all dentists to whom the college grants a licence 
• Integrating PLP’s current staff into the new program. 
• Supporting dentists beyond the claims process such as: providing advice to de-escalate and manage difficult situations; drafting legal release documents that provide refunds properly; supporting and guiding dentists through a litigation process. 
• Risk management initiatives. 
• Risk management initiatives such as continuing education courses, advisories/publications, and exploring and identifying trends in the profession (e.g. injuries, procedures). 
• Fair and reasonable cost. 

Have you consulted with the profession? 

RCDSO has been communicating regularly with registrants and stakeholders through e-blasts, newsletters and Council Highlights. In November RCDSO sent a survey to the profession on what they consider the most important elements of the program. Over 1600 responses were received. A full report on the survey results was presented at Council on December 7th and is posted on the website here. 

What is happening with PLP? 

The Professional Liability Program (PLP) has been providing assistance to Ontario dentists for over 50 years. During that time, numerous staff and Council members have been dedicated to the promotion of patient safety and responsible dentistry.  

In 2022, the Audit Committee and the Finance, Property and Administration (FPA) Committee reviewed the PLP program, its history, legislation, financial structure and assessed other comparable programs in Canada. As a result, Council established a PLP Expert Review Task Force to do a thorough review of the PLP program, outline any risks and recommend options to mitigate these risks on or before the September 2023 Council meeting. 

The Expert Review Task Force, composed of liability and regulatory experts (including former Council members) met from February to July of 2023 and developed a report for review by the (now) Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee. After that review, the report findings and FAR’s analysis were presented to Council on September 21st. There, Council unanimously agreed that the College should not continue to directly operate PLP as it is currently structured.  

After considerable discussion, Council directed staff to explore the option of divesting from direct ownership and operation of PLP. 

With Council’s direction, RCDSO staff developed an implementation plan, with deliverables and timelines and created a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of four divestment approaches.  

Staff provided Council with a progress report on this work at the December 7th Council meeting.  

At the December meeting, after reviewing the options and key considerations, Council directed staff to proceed with the option of exploring the transfer of the Professional Liability Program (including current liabilities and staff) to a third party, with the goal of allowing the program to continue to operate, under separate ownership.  

To begin that process, Council directed staff to begin a procurement process, guided by the proposed assumptions and key elements outlined, and under the guidance of a procurement review group, as established by the Executive Committee. 

Council deliberations are viewable here: RCDSO YouTube 

Why was the Task Force struck in the first place? 

Several risks have been identified with PLP, foremost among them are reputational, regulatory and financial risks.  

RCDSO is one of the few health regulatory Colleges in Canada that directly operates an in-house liability program.   

Over the past several years, negative media stories, changing expectations of professional regulation, and the RCDSO’s commitment to act in the public interest have caused RCDSO to consider the benefits, risks and appropriateness of this non-legislated program as an operational department of the College.  

PLP’s mission and function are distinct from the rest of the College’s, whose mandate is to “serve and protect the public interest.”  

One of the College’s primary regulatory responsibilities is to hold dentists accountable for conduct and practice issues; PLP serves as the primary malpractice protection provider for those same dentists. While the College strives to use a ‘firewall’ between PLP and our regulatory programs, this divergence in mandate and function is confusing to both the public and dentists and raises questions about how we can effectively serve both mandates.   

The College is also expected to be a responsible steward of its financial resources in achieving its statutory objectives and regulatory mandate, and the direct operation of PLP has presented some challenges to the RCDSO’s financial position including the completion of an adequate non-PLP operating reserve.  

What did the Task Force recommend? 

The Task Force Report presented a number of options with benefits and risks to help Council determine the best option for RCDSO. 

The Task Force identified three options:  

• Status Quo: RCDSO retains the current structure of PLP with minor modifications that could mitigate risk.  
• Subsidiary: RCDSO establishes a subsidiary corporation This would create structural separation of mandate and finances, while RCDSO would retain ownership of the program. 
• Divest: RCDSO stops directly offering its liability protection program over time and moves to transfer, sell or end the program 

The report provided Council with considerable information to help make this decision. 

When will we hear more? 

RCDSO will report on progress at the next Council meeting in March 2024. We will continue to update the public, registrants and stakeholders as we progress. 

The program has been working well for 50 years, why change now? 

There are a number of environmental changes, including public expectations that have changed since PLP was first established. 

RCDSO is one of the few health regulatory Colleges in Canada that directly operates an in-house liability program.   

Over the past several years, negative media stories, changing expectations of professional regulation, and the RCDSO’s commitment to act in the public interest have caused RCDSO to consider the benefits, risks and appropriateness of this non-legislated program as an operational department of the College.  

PLP’s mission and function are distinct from the rest of the College’s, whose mandate is to “serve and protect the public interest.”  

One of the College’s primary regulatory responsibilities is to hold dentists accountable for conduct and practice issues; PLP serves as the primary malpractice protection provider for those same dentists. While the College strives to use a ‘firewall’ between PLP and our regulatory programs, this divergence in mandate and function is confusing to both the public and dentists and raises questions about how we can effectively serve both mandates.   

If an unexpected major financial event were to occur (one that exceeds the current $22 million reserve fund plus the $20 million available in reinsurance), the RCDSO would be required to draw from its regulatory reserves or to impose a fee to the profession.  

What will new malpractice protection cost for dentists? And what minimum limits will be required? 

It is too early in the process to know what the new owner will charge for liability protection. One of Council’s expectations for the new operator is that the cost be fair and reasonable. 

Consistent with other Ontario health Colleges, RCDSO will mandate minimum limits. Currently, liability limits are $2 million which is consistent with most Canadian regulators’ requirements although a couple require higher limits.   

What will happen with the current annual membership fee amount?  

Unless otherwise agreed to on a short-term basis, RCDSO will not collect the annual fees for liability protection once a third party is operating the program. Once a third-party has been identified, additional analysis and review will be needed to assess the impact on the annual RCDSO membership fee.  

When would these changes become effective? 

Change to this long-standing program will take time. The schedule presented to Council in December 2023 stated that January 2026 would be the earliest possible date for transition. The profession will be provided with a minimum of 12 months’ notice of any changes to the program that will require alternative coverage. 

What if I have a claim or require PLP services? 

Dentists should continue to contact PLP directly for advice or assistance with potential, new or existing claims online at plp.rcdso.org or info@plpservices.org. 

I have further questions about PLP changes, who can I contact? 

For general information, please contact the RCDSO’s Practice Advisory Service at practiceadvisory@rcdso.org or call 416-961-6555 or toll-free 1-800-565-4591.