We are lawyers for dental hygienists who face regulatory and other legal issues at the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (“CDHO”). Complaints to the CDHO can be made by patients, staff, other dental professionals, or even members of the public who are not patients. Dental Hygienists should take all complaints seriously, as any decision by the CDHO could have a lasting impact on their practice. How We Assist Dental Hygienists Our team of defence lawyers assists dental hygienists with various regulatory issues, including the following:
- Advising dental hygienists on issues related to the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991, as well as on the CDHO’s Standards of Practice and Guidelines;
- Working with dental hygienists to respond to allegations of professional misconduct at the CDHO;
- Assisting dental hygienists in CDHO registration applications;
- Responding to various inquiries at the CDHO, including drafting responses to patient complaints at the CDHO that are reviewed by a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (“ICRC”);
- Defending dental hygienists at CDHO discipline hearings;
- Representing dental hygienists in appeals before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (“HPARB”) (e.g. where a decision of the ICRC has been made);
- Assisting with CDHO fitness to practice matters;
- Reporting past history, including criminal charges and findings of guilt, to the CDHO; and
- Advising dental hygienists on employment, quality assurance, and other contract issues related to their practice.
Articles
Responding to Complaints at the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario: What Dental Hygienists Need to Know
Dental hygienists who are subject to a formal complaint will typically receive the following from the CDHO: notification of the complaint, a copy of the complaint, and their prior complaint history, if applicable. Following an investigation, a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (“ICRC”) will decide on the matter. The ICRC is comprised of both dental hygienists and government appointed public members.
Reviewing Decisions of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario at the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB)
The Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee (“ICRC”) of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (“CDHO”) is responsible for dealing with formal complaints against dental hygienists. While the process may end with the ICRC’s decision, dental hygienists and complainants may both request a review before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (“HPARB”).
What Dental Hygienists Need to Know About Discipline Hearings at the CDHO
A discipline hearing is a formal, adversarial process that is similar to a trial, with a dental hygienist and the CDHO each presenting their side of the case. The CDHO prosecutor will have the burden of proving the allegations against a dental hygienist.
Responding to Section 75 Investigations at the CDHO
Under section 75, the CDHO can initiate an investigation into a dental hygienist’s practice to determine if the dental hygienist has committed acts of professional misconduct or is incompetent. These investigations grant the CDHO significant powers to seek and obtain a wide range of information, and have the potential to result in serious professional consequences for dental hygienists.