Council Highlights for October 24, 2024

Council Highlights

The 445th meeting of the RCDSO Council was held via Zoom on October 24, 2024. The assembly was also livestreamed. A video recording of the session is available on the College’s YouTube channel.

Message from the President & Registrar - October 2023

President's Message

This issue finds us reflecting back on a busy summer season for the College and looking forward to an active fall. 

Message from the President & Registrar, August 2023

President's Message

Throughout the summer months, the RCDSO has been focused on improving resources for the profession. One of the objectives of our strategic plan is anticipating and responding proactively to emerging issues and trends that may impact the public interest. The work outlined below helps to achieve that.

Rescinding the College's COVID-19 guidance: further information and resources

COVID-19
On July 19, 2023, the College notified the profession that the was rescinded. The College received a number of calls and emails requesting clarification and has prepared and revised the resources below to help address your questions.

COVID-19 guidance no longer in effect

COVID-19
Following a careful analysis of current trends and the available evidence, we are rescinding our COVID-19-specific guidance. We have collaborated with Ontario’s three other oral health regulatory Colleges (representing dental hygienists, dental technologists and denturists) in making this decision to ensure continued alignment on this critical issue.

Council highlights for June 15, 2023

Council Highlights

The 437th Council meeting of the RCDSO was a virtual meeting held via Zoom on Thursday, June 15th, 2023. The meeting was also livestreamed; a video recording of the Council session will be available on the College’s YouTube channel.

COVID guidance review

COVID-19

Work is currently underway to revisit RCDSO’s guidance to the profession. This process is supported by clinical staff and involves collaboration with other oral health colleges.

Message from the President & Registrar

President's Message
The President & Registrar share some important updates from the second quarter including the Canada Dental Benefit, regulation for an emergency class certificate, Bill 60 and COVID-19 among other issues..

RCDSO Consultation - Draft Standard of Practice on Virtual Care

Consultations
At its June 15, 2023, meeting, the RCDSO Council approved the release of a draft Standard of Practice on Virtual Care for external consultation.

As part of our consultation process, we are inviting all interested parties, including Ontario dentists and the public, to provide feedback on the new draft Standard. 

Updates to COVID-19 guidance

COVID-19
The Ministry of Health has updated its  document. We have revised our COVID-19 guidance in response to this update. 

COVID-19: Revised Guidance

COVID-19

We have revised our COVID-19 guidance for in-person care. These changes reflect efforts to ensure precautions are evidence-based and do not impede access to care. 

COVID-19 Update: Revised Guidance

COVID-19
The College has revised its COVID-19 guidance. The guidance has been shortened and streamlined and maintained only provisions most essential to patient safety.

Council highlights for June 16, 2022

Council Highlights
The 431st Council meeting of the RCDSO took place online via Zoom on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The meeting was also livestreamed; a video recording of the Council session will be available on the College's YouTube channel. 

COVID-19 Update - Patient and Staff Masking

COVID-19
On June 11, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health lifted provincial mask mandates for most settings and has now released separate guidelines for health care settings, including dental practices.

COVID-19 Update: Masking Requirements

COVID-19
Tomorrow, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health will lift most provincial masking requirement Directives and replace them with Ministry of Health guidelines for health care workers and organizations, as announced on June 8th. Dentists should continue to follow the College’s current COVID guidance as we await further CMOH guidelines for health care settings

COVID-19 Update June 6 2022

COVID-19
The College partnered with Ontario's oral health regulatory Colleges to produce the following statement on fallow times and closed operatories. 

Ontario extends masking requirements in health-care settings

COVID-19
Provincial masking requirements, which were set to expire on April 27, 2022, are being extended in select higher-risk settings until 12:00 a.m. on June 11, 2022. This includes health-care settings, such as dental offices.

RCDSO News - March 2022

College News
Read the latest RCDSO News. Topics include Council highlights, information about our vaccination policy for dentists and a reminder about annual membership renewals. 

Council highlights for March 10, 2022

Council Highlights
The 430th Meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario was held on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom and streamed live on YouTube. 

COVID-19 Update - Directives to be withdrawn

COVID-19
The Government of Ontario announced today that several COVID-19 measures will be withdrawn in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 Update: Directive #2 Revoked

COVID-19

The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has revoked Directive #2. This change means that dentists may resume non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures effective immediately.

COVID-19 Update: “Gradual and cautious resumption of services”

COVID-19

The Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has clarified the recently revised Directive #2.  The Directive says that “non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures will cautiously and gradually resume...” in specific settings. The College has now been told that “this would include regulated health professionals in settings outside of public hospitals, such as dentists.” 

COVID-19 Update - New requirements for dentistry in response to Omicron variant

COVID-19
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a revised Directive #2 to preserve health system capacity. Learn more about how this impacts dentistry in Ontario.  

COVID-19 Update - Omicron Variant and Revised Guidance for all Ontario Dentists

COVID-19
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has revised Directive #1 which sets out additional requirements for health care providers. 

Council highlights for November 18, 2021

Council Highlights
The 428th Meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario was held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom and streamed live on YouTube. 

Dentists eligible for COVID-19 booster vaccinations

COVID-19
Ontario is expanding the eligibility for COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Dentists are among the regulated health care professionals identified. 

Council highlights for September 17, 2021

Council Highlights

The 427th Meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario was held on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom and streamed live on YouTube. 

Supporting COVID-19 Vaccination

COVID-19
At its September 17, 2021 meeting, RCDSO Council approved a new statement on vaccination for RCDSO members and the public. 

COVID-19 Update: Revised patient screening guidance document

COVID-19
The Ministry of Health has updated the Patient Screening Guidance Document to take into account a patient’s immunization status. The Ministry has also updated the Screening Tool for Workers.

COVID-19 Update: Free N95 masks and antigen rapid tests now available

COVID-19

The Government of Ontario is providing 3M Aura Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Masks, 1870+, N95 and Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests to dental professionals free of charge.

Access to these products is made possible through a partnership between the Ontario Government and Ontario Dental Association (ODA).

COVID-19 Update: New revisions to guidance

COVID-19

The RCDSO has updated its guidance for managing infection risks during in-person dental care.

This update reflects collaboration between Ontario’s four oral health Colleges to ensure consistent expectations for delivery of oral health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Update: Step 3 of provincial reopening

COVID-19

Ontario moved into Step 3 of the Provincial Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 am today, July 16, 2021.

While the situation with COVID-19 continues to improve, dentists must continue to adhere to the enhanced precautions outlined in the College’s COVID-19: Managing infection risks during in-person dental care guidance for the in-person provision of dental care.

COVID-19 Update: Step 2 of provincial reopening

COVID-19
Ontario will move into Step 2 of the Provincial Roadmap to Reopen on June 30, 2021.

COVID-19 Update: Stay-at-Home order lifted

COVID-19
The Provincial government’s Stay-at-Home order is no longer in effect. It is expected that Ontario will move into step one of the Provincial Roadmap to Reopen the week of June 14, 2021.

COVID-19 Update: 2nd dose vaccinations

COVID-19
At the moment only dentists who work in Hospital Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Departments are eligible for a shortened second dose at this time, according to the ministry’s guidance.

COVID-19 Update - Non-urgent procedures are permitted

COVID-19
The Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario announced today that Directive #2 has been rescinded. As a result, “…non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures may be gradually resumed by health care providers and health care entities who were subject to that Directive.“

COVID-19 Update: Province-wide Stay-at-Home order extended to June 2

COVID-19
The Government of Ontario announced today that the current Province-wide Stay-at-Home order will remain in effect at least until June 2, 2021. 

COVID-19 Guidance: Antigen Point-of-Care Testing

COVID-19
RCDSO has produced COVID-19 Guidance: Antigen Point-of-Care Testing for dentists who are considering performing Antigen POCT in their practice for patients.

COVID-19 Update: How Directive #2 affects dentistry

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Important: The Ministry of Health has now clarified the impact of Directive #2 for Health Care Providers. Read more on how this affects dentistry. 

COVID-19 Update: Expanded scope of care for dentists in hospital settings

COVID-19
Dentists working in hospitals may be asked to take on new tasks to help with the fight against COVID-19. This may include administering vaccines or other tasks. 

COVID-19 Update: How Directive #2 affects oral surgery

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Directive #2 for Health Care Providers has a direct impact on oral surgery. The Ministry of Health has clarified that some non-emergent or non-urgent surgeries must cease immediately

COVID-19 Update: How Directive #2 affects procedures involving sedation

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Directive #2 for Health Care Providers, released by the Chief Medical Officer of Health this week, has a direct impact on some procedures requiring sedation. Read more. 

COVID-19 Update: CMOH releases Directive #2 - no change to current RCDSO guidance

COVID-19
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health has released Directive #2 for Health Care Providers. Read the College's latest update to the profession. 

COVID-19 Update: Ontario extends Stay-at-Home order

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
The Government of Ontario announced today that the current Stay-at-Home order will be extended for a further two weeks, to approximately May 20.

COVID-19 Update: Province-wide Stay-at-Home order

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
The Government’s announcement does not alter the scope of care that dentists are permitted to provide. All dentists must continue to follow the guidance set out in the College’s COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care document. Read more. 

COVID-19 Update

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Read the College's COVID-19 update about the province-wide shutdown measures going into effect on April 3, 2021 and our guidance to dentists. 

COVID-19 Update - vaccination roll-out

COVID-19
RCDSO is contacting public health units across the province to determine how we find the latest information about vaccination plans to share with Ontario dentists.

COVID-19 Update – maintain enhanced precautions

COVID-19
The RCDSO advises that all dentists in Ontario should continue to use enhanced precautions at all times in the dental office.

COVID-19 Update: State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order

COVID-19

The College’s COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care guidance document has been updated. In response to the provincial shutdown, dentists are required to undertake enhanced precautions when providing in-person care.

 

COVID-19 Update – Province-wide shutdown

COVID-19

The Government of Ontario announced a Province-wide shutdown which will go into effect Saturday, December 26, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.

COVID-19 Update – New lockdown areas

COVID-19
Yesterday, seven public health regions moved to new levels with stronger public health measures, including Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and York Region Public Health moving into Grey-Lockdown.

Council Highlights for November 17, 2020

Council Highlights
A summary of the 424h Council meeting held on November 17, 2020. 

Council Highlights - November 17, 2020

Council Highlights, College News
The 424th Council meeting of the RCDSO took place via Zoom on November 17, 2020. The meeting was also livestreamed on the College’s YouTube channel.

COVID-19 Update: Dental offices remain open

COVID-19

The RCDSO has confirmed that health care providers, including dental offices, can remain open in public health regions declared to be in “lockdown”. All current RCDSO guidance remains in effect.

COVID-19 Update: New Regional Restrictions

COVID-19
The Government of Ontario has announced important changes to its COVID-19 Response Framework. Among those changes is the decision to move Toronto and Peel Region into the Gray, or “Lockdown” category, effective Monday November 23rd at 12:01 am.  

COVID-19 Update: Changes to thresholds

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
The Government of Ontario today revised the thresholds in its COVID-19 Response Framework. In some areas local public health units are imposing additional measures.

COVID-19 Update: enhanced regional precautions

COVID-19

The RCDSO continues to strongly recommend that all dental offices in red or orange public health areas - currently, Toronto, Ottawa, York and Peel Regions (previously referred to as ‘hot zones’) - use enhanced precautions for aerosol-generating procedures.

RCDSO 2021 Membership Fees

President's Message, Running Your Practice, College News
A message from the RCDSO President to Ontario dentists about changes to the College's annual membership fees for 2021. 

COVID-19 Update: Province to add York Region to list of "hot zones"

COVID-19
The Provincial Government has announced that, effective Monday, October 19, York Region will be added to the list of target areas most affected by COVID-19.

COVID-19 Update – new provincial measures

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Today the Government of Ontario announced a series of new measures to address the increase in COVID-19 community transmission. Read more. 

COVID-19 Update – Regional approaches to AGPs

COVID-19

PIDAC is now recommending that, in regions of Ontario where COVID-19 transmission levels are ‘not low’, dentists should use precautions when performing AGPs as if their patients were positive - even if they screen negative.

COVID-19: Amended Guidance on managing infection risks during in-person dental care

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
The College has updated it's Guidance to the profession on Managing Infection Risks During In-person Dental Care. 

COVID-19 Update: AGP and PPE in the dental office

College News, COVID-19
Despite ongoing discussion with our colleagues at the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario CDHO, there continue to be differences in guidance between our Colleges around aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

COVID-19: Memo from the CMOH re: Aerosol-Generating Dental Procedures

Infection Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a memo regarding precautions for health workers in dental settings where aerosol-generating dental procedures (AGDPs) are conducted.

The College's Guidance on managing infection risks during in-person dental care follows Directive #2 from the CMOH. Our May 31 guidance remains in effect and is available on our website by clicking here

Council Highlights - June 18, 2020

Council Highlights
The 422st  meeting of the RCDSO Council was held in in Toronto on June 18, 2020. 

COVID-19 Update: Stage 2 reopening

College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Updates on how Stage 2 of the Government of Ontario’s reopening plan affects Ontario dentists.

COVID-19 Update: A note on our guidance

College News, COVID-19
A note to Ontario dentists on the College's ongoing discussions with the CDHO.

COVID-19: Amended Guidance on managing infection risks during in-person dental care

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
The College has released it's amended Guidance for Ontario dentists on Managing Infection Risks During In-person Dental Care, according to the most recent Directive #2 from the Chief Medical Officer of Health. 

COVID-19: A Message from RCDSO President

President's Message, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
A message from Dr. Flavio Turchet to Ontario dentists regarding the College's ongoing development of updated guidance for the profession.

COVID-19 Update: New Directive from CMOH

College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has advised the College that Directive #2 has been amended.

COVID-19: Managing infection risks during in-person dental care

Standards, Guidelines and Practice Advisories, College News, COVID-19
The College has released updated guidance for Ontario dentists to assist with the careful planing of reopening of their practices in a staged approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

COVID-19 Update: Message from RCDSO President

President's Message, College News, COVID-19
A message to Ontario dentists from the College's President, Dr. Flavio Turchet.

COVID-19: Guidance for the Use of Teledentistry

Ministry of Health News, COVID-19, Teledentistry

The College released guidance on emergency screening of dental patients using teledentistry on March 26, 2020.

This updated version permits dentists to use teledentistry for some non-essential services as appropriate, while maintaining physical distancing. 

COVID-19 Update: Message from RCDSO President

President's Message, College News, COVID-19
A message to Ontario dentists from the College's President, Dr. Flavio Turchet.

Returning to practice: planning and considerations

College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Read the RCDSO's April 28, 2020 update, including information on the Government of Ontario's Framework for Reopening our Province. 

Updated guidance on emergency and urgent care during COVID-19

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
The following updated guidance provides direction for Ontario dentists on the provision of emergency and urgent dental care during the current State of Emergency. 

Download PDF version of our guidance

Dental practices offering emergency services - COVID-19 pandemic

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
Find a list of dental practices offering emergency services to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also find out how dentists can donate PPEs to dental practices on the emergency services list, public health units or community health centres.

COVID-19 Update - Continuity of Care

Infection Prevention and Control, Running Your Practice, College News, Journal Bites, COVID-19
All dentists have professional, legal and ethical responsibilities to provide or arrange for dental emergency treatment for their patients. 

COVID-19 Update - MOH Request for Ventilators and PPE

College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
Your immediate support is needed in supplying hospitals and other care facilities with critically needed personal protective equipment and ventilators

COVID-19 Update - N95 masks

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
The College has received a number of suggestions about the correct use of N95 (and equivalent) masks. 

COVID-19 Update - Ministry of Health PPE Survey

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
We’ve received a number of inquiries from dentists regarding the Ministry of Health’s PPE inventory survey. The survey was produced by the Ministry, and the College was asked to let you know about it.

RCDSO COVID-19 Update - March 30, 2020

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
The Chief Medical Officer of Health continues to call for tough restrictions on movement and the size of gatherings in Ontario. We think it’s very unlikely dental practices will reopen for non-emergency work in April. Read our latest update.

COVID-19 Update - Request from Ministry of Health

College News, Ministry of Health News, COVID-19
The Ministry of Health is asking you to share ventilators and other medical supplies and equipment to support Ontario’s health care system in treating COVID-19.

RCDSO Update - March 26, 2020 (COVID-19)

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
Since our advice to dentists released March 15, the Government of Ontario has declared a State of Emergency. Read more about how this affects Ontario dentists. 

UPDATED March 23: Guidance on true emergency situations during COVID-19 pandemic

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19

Considering the current pandemic situation, the College is updating its guidance regarding the management of emergencies.

RCDSO Update - March 20, 2020 (COVID-19)

Infection Prevention and Control, COVID-19
The Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health has now published Directive #2 for Health Care Providers. 

RCDSO Update - March 19, 2020 (COVID-19)

Infection Prevention and Control, COVID-19
We’ve heard concerns from the public about dentists not respecting Public Health advice about self-isolation following travel or attendance at the Pacific Dental Conference.

RCDSO Update - March 18, 2020 (COVID-19)

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19
Addressing raised concerns that the RCDSO has not “ordered” the closure of non-emergency dental clinics. Read more. 

A message to all dentists in Ontario - COVID-19 Pandemic

Infection Prevention and Control, College News, COVID-19

In accordance with our mandate to act in the public’s interest and in hearing the numerous comments made to us by members, in consultation with hospitals and public health and others, we are offering to the membership the following measures and guidelines in response to the COVID–19 pandemic.