Peer & Practice Assessment

Each year five percent of the College’s registrants are randomly selected to participate in a Peer & Practice Assessment (assessment or PPA). The assessment is an educational opportunity designed to assess your knowledge, skill and judgement, and to help identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in your practice.

Once a Denturist has completed an assessment, they are not eligible for selection for a minimum of five (5) years.

The Assessment

If you are selected for a Peer & Practice Assessment, a Peer Assessor will visit your primary practice location.

Prior to the Assement you will receive an email from the College including:

• Details on how to prepare for the assessment.

• Links to forms that must be completed and submitted to the College by the deadline outlined in the letter:

  • Self-Evaluation Form: Provides information about your practice to help the Assessor prepare.

  • Non-Clinic Practice Assessment Questionnaire: For those working in non-clinic settings.

An Assessor will then contact you directly to schedule a convenient time for the assessment. 

If you have exceptional circumstances that require a deferral of your assessment, you may apply to the Quality Assurance Committee for consideration.

Timing and Location of the Assessment

Plan to set aside two to three (2-3) hours for your assessment.

Before the assessment, your Assessor will contact you to:

• ​Discuss any questions or concerns you may have about the assessment or the final report.

What to expect during the Assessment

• Assessments take place at your primary practice location.

• If you work in a dentist’s office, nursing home, patients’ homes, or other settings, the Assessor will arrange to meet you there.

• Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, the facility owner must allow access to patient records and areas used for patient care. This review is brief and should not disrupt daily operations. The office does not need to close or refrain from conducting appointments. 

For Mobile or Home Practice Settings

If you provide mobile services, you are expected to have a designated professional space with secure storage for patient records e.g. your home. The Assessor will meet you there to:

• Review patient records

• Inspect your medical bag (prepared as if ready for a patient visit)

• Assess hygiene and infection control measures

• Inspect your home laboratory and sterilization area

If you only see patients occasionally in non-clinic settings, the Assessor may ask about your processes and request to see how you prepare for visits.

Preparing for the PPA

The following documents will assist registrants in preparing for the Peer and Practice Assessment.

Duties of the Assessor

Peer Assessors are appointed by the Quality Assurance Committee and are fellow members of the College. As part of the College’s regulatory role, Assessors are authorized to request your full cooperation and access to your practice and patient charts.

After the PPA

The Assessor will review your practice in these key areas:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• Infection prevention and control

• Patient information collection and documentation

• Assessing and addressing patient needs

• Post-insertion education and continuity of care

After your assessment, you will receive a copy of the Assessor’s report and have 30 days to submit a response, if you wish. The Quality Assurance Committee will review the report and your response, if provided. If any issues are identified, they may offer further guidance or request follow-up actions.