Council Highlights for September 18, 2025
Important Professional Liability Program (PLP) divestment updates
Over the past two years RCDSO has been researching, consulting and investigating options for the divestment of PLP. RCDSO is one of the few health regulatory Colleges in Canada that directly operates an in-house liability program. Dentists were consulted in 2023 and their advice shaped the requirements of a new provider. After a competitive process, RCDSO Council has approved the selection of Navacord - Building the Great Canadian Brokerage as the new owners of the program due to their commitment to preserve the existing service excellence of the program via current PLP staff; their offer of full and comprehensive coverage for dentists; and their deep experience in the liability protection of Ontario dentists.
Navacord, one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing multi-line insurance brokerages, will become the owner/operator of the RCDSO’s PLP as of January 1, 2026. Jones DesLauriers, a broker partner of Navacord, has been the brokerage on record for the primary PLP policy and the excess insurance coverage since 2017. Navacord is the current broker for liability insurance for dentists in Alberta.
The total cost of liability insurance ($1,500) will be included in the 2026 renewal process to aid in the transition. RCDSO will pass the full amount on to Navacord. Regulatory fees are frozen for 2026 and will not include professional liability costs in 2027 and beyond. You will not need to take any action during the renewal process to obtain coverage. These costs are competitive with other Canadian provinces. See June Council materials on page 381. The increase in liability costs will amount to $500 over previous years.
Dentists should continue to contact PLP directly for advice or assistance.
Liability Protection By-law consultation
To prepare for the change in PLP ownership on January 1, 2026, the College needed to identify a way to ensure that all registrants have adequate coverage and that tools are in place to act if registrants do not have coverage. Council approved amendments to the RCDSO’s Registration Regulation General Regulation in March 2025, to establish a framework that will ensure registrants obtain and maintain liability coverage. These changes are currently under review by the Ministry of Health. In parallel, Council approved the release for circulation of draft by-law changes to establish the requirement for minimum professional liability protection.
RCDSO Reconciliation Action Plan
Council and observers heard an inspirational and informative presentation from First Peoples Group, an Indigenous-owned, operated and staffed organization, working with the College to design a Reconciliation Action Plan. To see the presentation click here.
Significant updates on College Documents and Standards
As part of the RCDSO Strategic Plan 2023-2025, significant modernization is underway to College documents and standards. Substantial research and consultation underpins each project.
Foundations of Professionalism
Council approved the Foundations of Professionalism document as a final document of the College. To learn more about the document and how to apply it, click here.
Practice Models and Corporate Dentistry Report
Council approved the proposal to proceed with all of the options set out in Practice Models and Corporate Dentistry Report. Please find the report posted here.
AI in Dentistry Guidance
Council approved the Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry Guidance as a Guidance document of the RCDSO. Please find the Guidance as well as Frequently Asked Questions posted here.
Requesting Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Referring to Physician Specialists by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Standard
Council approved that the RCDSO’s Standard “Requesting Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Referring to Physician Specialists by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons” be rescinded and replaced with an FAQ.
Implant Dentistry
Council approved the release of the draft Standard of Practice “Implant Dentistry” for external consultation. The draft standard and consultation materials will be posted in early October.
Governance Modernization
Council received a substantive governance modernization report and discussed key elements of the College’s modernization journey. Governance Committee members had an opportunity to present to Council on the key design elements of the modernization plan. Click here to see the presentation.
Council Member Update
The newest public appointment to Council, Patrick Ballantyne was appointed on August 14th, 2025, for a three-year term. Public member Judy Welikovitch has been reappointed for another three-year term. The term of Eli Fisher, public Council member expired July 25, 2025.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of Council will be hybrid and held on Thursday, December 4th, 2025 via Zoom. The meeting will also be livestreamed.