Following a comprehensive review of RCDSO’s Standard of Practice: Requesting Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Referring to Physician Specialists by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Council has decided to rescind the Standard and replace it with this updated FAQ.
This change in format does not impact the existing requirements for ordering MRIs or making physician-specialist referrals.
Why was the RCDSO’s Standard “Requesting Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Referring to Physician Specialists by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons” rescinded?
Following careful consideration, RCDSO’s Council concluded that the content in the Standard was better suited to an FAQ. FAQs enable the College to communicate guidance in a more accessible format, and they allow for guidance to be updated more easily in response to new information or emerging issues.
Only registered dentists with a specialty certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery may order MRIs in Ontario. More detailed requirements are specified in the CONTROLLED ACTS regulation.[1]
In addition, the OHIP Schedule of Benefits covers the cost of specific physician services (e.g., diagnostic procedures, including interpretation of MRIs, and physician specialist consultations) if the following requirements are met:
· The OMFS has an OHIP registration/billing number[2],[3]
AND
· The MRI is ordered for dental surgery and it is medically necessary for the patient to receive the dental surgery in a hospital,
OR
· The OMFS has reasonable grounds to believe that dental surgery will be required in connection with the test and that it will be medically necessary for the patient to receive the dental surgery in a hospital.[4]
Note: More detailed requirements are noted in the OHIP Schedule of Benefits for Physician Services, which are subject to change.
Dentists can only refer current patients to physician specialists for the provision of expert services in connection with an insured dental procedure rendered in a hospital.[1] Referrals for consultations may be due to the complexity, seriousness, or obscurity of the case, or because another opinion is requested by the patient or patient’s representative.[2] Dentists referring to physician specialists are required to have an OHIP billing number for physician services to be covered by OHIP. [3]
The Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Health is the most appropriate place to find authoritative information about the legal requirements dentists must meet to order MRIs and refer to physician specialists. Additional legal requirements beyond what is included in this FAQ may be found in Ontario’s Controlled Acts Regulation and the OHIP Schedule of Benefits. Government documents may change over time. Dentists are therefore advised to refer to government documents directly, if any inconsistencies with this FAQ exist.
