Our purpose
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) is one of 26 health regulatory colleges in the province of Ontario with the responsibility and the legal authority to protect the rights of patients.
The College is responsible for:
- Ensuring the public has safe, equitable and competent oral health care by providing leadership to the dental profession in regulation
- Holding registered dentists accountable for their conduct and practice through complaint and investigation processes
- Setting the education and other qualifications necessary to become a registered dentist
- Developing professional and ethical standards and guidelines.
Watch the video below to learn more about the College.
Understanding the Roles of the Regulator and the Association
In Ontario, the dental profession is supported by both regulatory and professional bodies that serve distinct purposes. To clarify the differences between us at the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) and the Ontario Dental Association (ODA), we present the distinct roles and responsibilities each organization holds within the dental profession in Ontario. This comparison highlights our unique functions and objectives, reflecting our specific mandates.