Mailing Address
Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council
56 Wellesley St W.,
12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 2S3

Telephone and Facsimile
Toll-Free: 1-888-377-7746
Telephone: 416-326-1550.
Fax: 416-326-1549

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Regulation of Dental Assistants under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA)

The Minister's Question

The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Hon. Deb Matthews, has asked HPRAC to "advise whether the practice of Dental Assistants ought to be regulated under the RHPA and if so, what would be the appropriate scope of practice, controlled acts and titles authorized to the profession". The Minister has also asked that the Council "take into account the activities these practitioners undertake with respect to x-rays and other forms of energy and the circumstances in which these are being done". The Minister has stated that she requires HPRAC's advice on the issue of regulating Dental Assistants under the RHPA by December 31, 2013. 

HPRAC's Approach

When a referral is received from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, HPRAC determines relevant public interest concerns and questions. HPRAC attempts to understand all perspectives on an issue including those of key health care practitioners, other affected health care professionals, clients and patients, advocates and regulators.  Each issue proceeds through a multi-stage process where information and responses are requested from and shared with stakeholders. HPRAC will conduct literature, jurisdictional and jurisprudence reviews, and engage in key informant interviews.  Its analysis of the issues will lead to a determination of additional information required, and the appropriate process to be used.

HPRAC also wishes to remind interested parties that the purpose of regulation under the RHPA is to protect the public. The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient evidence to HPRAC so the Advisory Council can effectively assess the application against the criteria for regulation of a new profession under the RHPA. For further details about the HPRAC criteria and the process for regulating a new health profession under the RHPA, please click here.

Timelines

The following table includes the currently anticipated timeline for this referral:

Please note that these are tentative timelines and may be changed without prior notice.

Application to Regulate Dental Assistants under the RHPA

On August 03, 2011 HPRAC invited the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA) to submit a proposal to regulate Dental Assistants under the RHPA. HPRAC provided ODAA with an application package consisting of:

• Letter
• Application Form
• Application Guide
• Literature Review
• Jurisdictional Review
• Jurisprudence Review

HPRAC Invites Comments on Proposal to Regulate Dental Assistants under the RHPA

A proposal has been submitted to HPRAC by the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA) seeking regulation of Dental Assistants under the RHPA. You may find it helpful to read the ODAA application, which is available here.

ODAA submission for the regulation of Dental Assistants under the RHPA

The consultation period is now complete.

Stakeholder Feedback Received by HPRAC

To ensure transparency, the stakeholder comments HPRAC receives are posted according to access to information guidelines (for guidelines, visit http://www.hprac.org/en/privacy.asp). HPRAC has received feedback on the regulation of Dental Assistants under the RHPA from the following organizations and individuals:

Submissions Received (Online and Feedback Forms)

Responses from Individuals (as of Friday February 24, 2012)

Responses from organizations (as of Friday February 24, 2012)

• Responses from Organizations1
• Responses from Organizations2  

Next Steps
Upon conclusion of the consultation period, HPRAC will carefully consider all evidence gathered to develop recommendations. Your feedback helps HPRAC assess the proposal and determine the issues we should consider throughout the review process, and informs recommendation development.

HPRAC will submit its recommendations on the regulation of Dental Assistants under the RHPA in a report to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care for consideration. All HPRAC reports to the Minister remain confidential until released by the Minister. Please note that, as per the RHPA, HPRAC recommendations are advisory only. The minister is not bound to accept HPRAC's advice.  The release of an HPRAC report and any follow-up action are at the discretion of the Minister. Should the Minister choose to accept HPRAC's advice, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is responsible for implementation of HPRAC recommendations.

Watch this site for updates and announcements. You may also get latest updates and announcements by following HPRAC on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HPRACOntario.