Changes to Professional Misconduct Regulation

Professional misconduct includes any behaviour, action, or omission by a denturist that breaches the established standards of practice and ethical guidelines, that compromises patient safety, care quality, or professional integrity.

As of July 1, 2024, the Professional Misconduct regulation under the Denturism Act, 1991 has been updated by the Ontario Government.

Summary of key changes:

• Clinic Name Application Process: As of July 1, 2024, Denturists are no longer required to seek the Executive Committee’s approval of a proposed clinic name and remit an application fee prior to using the proposed clinic name. However, the College still expects clinic names to be professional, genuine, and to comply with the Standard of Practice. All previous requirements for clinic names remain. If Denturists are unsure whether their clinic names meet the advertising standard, please feel free to reach out to College Staff who can provide guidance. All previously approved clinic names will continue to operate with no changes required.
  • ​Guidelines: Advertising and Clinic Naming
  • Standard of Practice: Advertising and Clinic Naming

 

• Testimonials: The Ontario Ministry of Health does not permit regulated health care professionals in Ontario to publish testimonials. As such, in Ontario, you will not see testimonials for Audiologists, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Optometrists, Physicians, Pharmacists, Psychologists, or any other regulated health care professional. As of July 1, 2024, the College reiterates that Denturists are prohibited from using or permitting the use of testimonials from patients, former patients, or any other person in respect of the Denturist’s practice.

 

• Denturist's Name and the Public Register: Practising the profession or offering to provide professional services using a name other than the member’s name registered with the College is now considered an act of professional misconduct. Members of the public need to be able to find a Denturist on the Public Register and the only way they can be guaranteed to be able to do that is if the name on the register matches the name provided by the member while providing professional services.

 

• Disclosure of Fees and Receipts: Part of informed consent is that the patient knows the cost of services before agreeing to receive said services. Denturists are required to disclose upfront the fees to be charged and any potential penalties that may be charged for late payment of fees. If the treatment plan changes for any reason, the Denturist should communicate any changes to the fees as well.
• Denturists are now required to provide an itemized receipt to the patient regardless of whether the patient requests an itemized receipt. See the Guidelines for Record Keeping.

 

• Right to File a Complaint: Failing to advise or provide to a patient, a patient’s authorized representative, or a member of the public, when requested, of their right to file a complaint with the College and the College's contact information is now considered an act of professional misconduct. This provision supports registrant's accountability to the College while balancing practitioner and patient rights. As such, the clause "when requested" was added.

 

• Legacy Barriers: Formerly, Denturists were not permitted to have dental instruments or equipment other than those appropriate to the practice of denturism unless there was also a dental surgeon practising dentistry on the premises, or the Denturist had obtained consent from the Executive Committee. This has been removed entirely from the Regulation.While Denturists must always work within their scope, this removal of legacy barriers takes into consideration how oral health teams collaboratively work together.

 

• Discontinuing or Refusing Treatment to Patients: New contextual factors have been added to the regulation that a Denturist must consider prior to electing to discontinue treatment or refusing treatment of a patient. Practically speaking, the process to discontinue or refuse treatment has not changed, especially when the safety of the Denturist or Clinic Staff are jeopardized. New considerations include:

  • the member's reason for discontinuing the services,

  • the condition of the patient,

  • the opportunity given to the patient to arrange alternate services provided by another member before the discontinuation, and

  • the availability of alternate services.
    
    The College has updated its guidelines for Discontinuing Services/Refusing Treatment to support Denturist's understanding of the process prior to discontinuing services.

 

FAQs​

• Why have these marketing and advertising changes been made to the regulation? Any false or misleading advertisement can not only cause harm to the public, but also harm the reputation of the member, and the profession at large. The public does not have the knowledge or judgement to determine if the information within an advertisement is accurate.

 

• Can I include testimonials or reviews in respect of my practice in any form of advertising (including websites, social media, e-mails, signage, etc.)? No, the use of testimonials continues to not be permitted for all health care workers including Denturists, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Technologists.

  

• Can I ask or encourage a patient to write a testimonial or review (including Google Reviews, etc.)? No, a member should not place any undue pressure on a patient (either verbally or with signage) to become a “spokesperson” for the member and their treatments, or to comment on a treatment plan that is tailored them only, when treatment plans are individualized.

 

• Will I be penalized if I don’t make these changes immediately? No, while the expectation is that members make these changes as soon as possible, the College is providing a “grace period” until January 1, 2025, to allow members to make the necessary changes to their advertising.

 

Next Steps

Denturists should carefully review the following:

• Standard of Practice for Advertising and Clinic Names 
   
• Guidelines for Advertising and Clinic Names 
   
• Guidelines for Record Keeping 
   
• Guidelines for Discontinuing Services and Refusing Treatment 
   

Denturists should:

• Refamiliarize themselves on how to access their website admin accounts, social media accounts, or to begin contacting their webpage administrators.
   
• Plan out what changes are required on their websites, social media accounts, and advertising.
   
• Begin the process of updating their websites, social media, and advertising so that it adheres to the new regulations. This may include removing testimonials, updating language, and/or updating photos. It may also include updating advertising or newsletter campaigns.
   
• Make any necessary practice changes for January 1, 2025, or well before the grace period ends.
   

The College will:

• Provide Denturists with the remainder of 2024 as a grace period to update their websites, social media, and advertising practices. The grace period will end January 1, 2025.
   
• Continue to work with Denturists to ensure a gradual and orderly roll out of the new regulations. New policy provisions may affect their practices, but Denturists will be provided with ample time and opportunities throughout the year to ensure compliance.
   
• Develop webinars that will speak to these changes and develop topic-specific webinars.
   
• Work with the Denturism associations to ensure that Denturists are familiar with the changes and address any College wide questions or concerns they may have.
   

What the College will NOT do:

• The College has no plans to begin an enforcement campaign immediately after the grace period. The College wants to support the work of Denturists by providing education, information, and answering any questions they may have.
   
• While the College reserves the right to enforce its standards and requirements, it will not actively pursue enforcement activity.
   
• The complaints driven process will continue in 2025. Should the College receive a complaint, infracting Denturists will be informed, and the College will work with the Denturist to ensure compliance.