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Standards Review and Development Process

Our Standards Review and Development Process is a comprehensive, evidence-informed, transparent and inclusive process through which RCDSO’s Standards of Practice and other accompanying resources are developed and updated.

Beginning in 2023, our process has been revised to reflect best practices for health regulators, which include (as examples):

  • Regular review of existing Standards and other documents to ensure they are clear, comprehensive, up-to-date and reflect the standard of practice of the profession;
  • Use of standard development criteria to evaluate new and emerging issues;
  • Transparent external consultation involving dentists, patients and the public (see our Public Consultations page for more information); and
  • The adoption of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles.

This infographic provides an overview of our process, with a more detailed description of each stage provided below:

First page of standards review process PDF. Click to open file.

Our Standards Review and Development Process typically includes the following stages:

  1. Identify the standard or issue
    • A standard or issue is identified for review and staff are assigned to lead the project and guide it through the review and development process.
    • Research related to the standard or issue is gathered and analyzed. This often involves a review of the published literature, a review of the guidance of other health regulators, and an analysis of internal College data (e.g., inquiries and complaints).
  1. Preliminary consultation (optional)
    • Most reviews will involve a preliminary public consultation which seeks feedback on a current standard or emerging issue.
    • These public consultations are posted on the RCDSO website and are open to everyone.
    • Additional steps may also be taken to ensure that a diversity of perspectives are heard. These may include public polling, the use of working groups, discussion with subject-matter experts, and the use of the Citizen Advisory Group.
    1. Review of feedback and initial drafting
      • Preliminary consultation feedback is reviewed and analyzed. The research conducted and feedback received in previous stages of the process are considered in the initial drafting of a document (for example, an updated Standard of Practice).
    1. Approval to consult on draft
      • After a draft document has been developed, RCDSO Council will consider the draft document and decide whether it should be released for public consultation.
    1. General consultation
      • Following Council’s approval, a public consultation is held seeking feedback on the draft document.
      • This consultation is open to everyone and will run for a minimum of 60 days. The primary method of collecting feedback is through an online survey; however, additional methods as listed above may also be taken to obtain feedback on the draft document.
      1. Review of feedback and re-drafting
        • Consultation feedback is reviewed, analyzed and considered in the re-drafting of the document. Appropriate revisions are made to the document based on feedback and any new and relevant research.
      1. Final approval of standard
        • After the draft document has been redrafted, RCDSO Council will consider the document for final approval as an RCDSO Standard of Practice. Once RCDSO Council approves the revised draft document, it becomes an official document of the RCDSO.