Applicant Responsibilities

The RCDSO’s primary role is to protect the public interest by putting patients first. The College must ensure that each applicant meets the requirements for registration as set out in Regulation before they will be allowed to practise dentistry in Ontario. 

It is our duty to ask questions or obtain documentation to ensure that these requirements are met, including documentation about an applicant’s past and present conduct. An applicant’s past or present conduct must demonstrate that an applicant will uphold the ethical and professional standards of the profession.  The applicant is responsible for providing documentation and information to demonstrate that the requirements for registration have been met 

The requirements for issuing a certificate of registration of any class, include: 

1. Applicants must have the mental competency and physical ability to practise dentistry safely. 
   
   
2. If the applicant has a health condition that raises concerns about their ability to practise dentistry safely, the College must consider the potential effects when reviewing the application. 
   
   1. Possible examples include: substance abuse; addiction disease; a blood-borne pathogen (for example, Hepatitis B); mental health illness; physical disability. 
      
      
3. Applicants must practise dentistry with decency, integrity and honesty, and in accordance with the law and the College’s standards, guidelines, by-laws and policies. 
   
   
4. Applicants have sufficient knowledge, skill and judgement to competently engage in the scope of dental practice authorized by the licence issued by the College. 
   
   
5. Applicants have the ability to communicate effectively
   
   1. The Registrar or Registration Committee must review any evidence of past or current communication issues that could affect the applicant’s ability to practise effectively and safely, including: 
      
      1. language skills in English or French 
      2. adequately communicating with patients, third parties or governing bodies 
      3. correctly diagnosing patients and communicating diagnoses and proposed treatment plans to patients in a way they can understand to provide informed consent.
         
         
6. Applicants display appropriate professional attitude and conduct. 

Examples of past or present conduct that could be reviewed by the Registrar and/or Registration Committee include:   

• Deceitful or misleading communication with patients, third parties or a regulatory body
• Improper billing
• Performing unnecessary treatment 
• Discrimination toward race, colour, sexual orientation, sex, religion, disability, socio-economic status, etc.
• Boundary violations and/or sexual abuse
• The applicant’s governability, such as refusal to obey rules, regulations and/or laws 

Source: Dentistry Act, 1991, 14 (1)