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Council Highlights

Council Highlights for June 19, 2025

The 450th meeting of the RCDSO Council was livestreamed on June 19th, 2025. A recording is available on the College’s YouTube channel. Highlights from the meeting follow. 

Governance Modernization

As part of the 2023-2025 RCDSO Strategic plan, work on Governance Modernization has continued to advance. Good governance is the foundation for effective regulation, accountability, and public trust. It ensures that decision-making is made in the public interest. Council was presented with the results of considerable research on best practices and contemporary Canadian models.

Council considered and approved five recommendations:

  • Updated Competency and Diversity Profile for RCDSO Council Members, 2025;
  • Enhancements to the current Council candidate selection process;
  • Term of office and term limit for Council members (nine years);
  • Cooling off period for Council members; and
  • Model for implementing staggered terms for elected Council members.

At a later date, Council will review relevant bylaw amendments with the goal of implementation for the 2026 election period. For more information: Pages 285-310

Professional Liability Program (PLP) divestment: 2026 Liability cost increase, Regulatory fee freeze

Ontario’s dentists have long relied on the College’s Professional Liability Program (PLP) for trusted protection, advice and support. Operating both a regulatory agenda and a liability program within the same organization presents inherent financial risks and potential conflicts of interest. After careful consideration and in keeping with best practices across the country, Council has directed that the PLP be divested to an experienced third-party provider. Dentists were consulted in 2023 and their advice has shaped the procurement process. 

The PLP divestment project continues, with the goal of allowing the program to continue to operate, under separate ownership. RCDSO is working towards signing legal agreements with a preferred party that will provide continued excellence in coverage and service. An announcement of the preferred party will be made later this year.

The College’s PLP estimated costs have been frozen for the past three years, despite rising costs, increasing membership and unforeseen future liabilities. Those costs were considerably under-market and the program itself was underfunded. After a competitive process and considerable market research, the cost for 2026 will be $1,400 plus fees and taxes ($100 in 2026). These costs are competitive with other Canadian provinces. The increase in liability costs will amount to $500 over previous years. Liability pricing will be stable for the next three years. To help ease the transition, the College will collect the liability cost on behalf of the provider for 2026.

Regulatory fees are frozen for 2026. Council also proposed waiving the usual annual CPI increase (almost $55) to help mitigate the liability increase. The proposed by-law changes are available at Public Consultations. Council will consider by-law changes at its meeting in September.

These proposed changes do not impact current coverage. Dentists should continue to contact PLP directly for advice or assistance.

Audited Financial Statements

Council heard an update on the College’s Audited Financial Statements as well as Audited Fund Financial Statements for the RCDSO Pension Fund. Detailed financial commentary was provided. Council approved the appointment of Tinkham LLP to conduct the RCDSO Audit and RCDSO Pension Fund Audit for the year 2025. Council reviewed the College’s Financial Reserves (Operating Reserve and PLP Reserve). Reserves help enhance long-term stability and provide for unforeseen events and are required by the Ministry of Health’s College Performance Measurement Framework (CPMF). The target for the reserve, based on 2024 Financial Statements, is $7.5 million. Council approved the transfer of $4 million of the 2024 surplus to the Operating Reserve to meet the minimum requirement of CPMF.

Draft Standard of Practice: Managing Conflicts and Ending the Patient-Dentist Relationship

The Maintaining a Professional Patient-Dentist Relationship Practice Advisory was determined to be a high priority for review based on key omissions; lack of detail; and alignment with other standards. Research as well as advice from the Practice Advisory and Professional Conduct and Regulatory Affairs teams and a preliminary external consultation (Fall 2024) identified possible improvements to the existing standard. This research and feedback has been incorporated into a new draft Standard of Practice titled ‘Managing Conflicts and Ending the Dentist-Patient Relationship’. Council approved the release of the draft Standard for consultation. It will be posted here later this summer. 

Council Member Update

Dr. Erin Walker has been awarded the Young Alumni Distinction Award by Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Public Council member, Cristina Cordiero has stepped down from Council, effective June 1, 2025.  Public member, Marc Trudell has been reappointed for another three-year term.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of Council will be hybrid and held on Thursday, September 18th, 2025 via Zoom and in person at Vantage Venues 150 King Street W. Toronto. The meeting will also be livestreamed.