90 Questions
What is the mandate of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)?
To regulate the practice of dental hygiene in the interest of the overall health and safety of the public of Ontario
What is the role of the CDHO Council and Registrar?
To oversee and govern the CDHO, and to lead the organization as the chief executive
What is the CDHO Mentorship Program?
A program that was previously required for entry to practice
What is the background of Dr. Glenn Pettifer, the new Registrar and CEO of CDHO?
Significant leadership experience at the Senior Management level of Ontario Health Profession Regulatory Colleges
What did Dr. Pettifer do prior to entering the regulatory world?
An educator and researcher in the field of veterinary anesthesia and pain management
What is the purpose of the CDHO Quality Assurance program?
To ensure the ongoing competence of dental hygienists
What is the main focus of the CDHO's regulatory mandate?
Overall health and safety of the public of Ontario
What should goals for those in clinical practice be directly related to?
Dental hygiene science
What is one of the areas that goals for those in clinical practice should be related to?
Infection control
What is one of the learning activities that can be utilized to achieve learning goals?
Webinars
What is the name of the 4th Edition book by Martin, Baker, Noor Darby, Walsh (2015)?
Dental Hygiene : Theory and Practice
What does Section 82 of the RHPA Procedural Code address?
Co-operation with Committee and assessors
Where can discipline case decisions related to not meeting Quality Assurance requirements be reviewed?
CDHO Website
What is the name of the book by Wilkins (2017)?
Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist
What is the name of the Registrants’ Handbook mentioned in the text?
The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario Registrants’ Handbook
What does the SMILE PORTAL assist in developing?
Learning goals
Who oversees the day-to-day operations of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario?
A professional individual
How many registered dental hygienists are there in Ontario?
14,784
How often do the CDHO Council members meet to discuss regulatory policies?
Four times per year
How many self-initiation streams for registration are there for dental hygienists?
Three
How are the Council members elected and appointed?
Elected by peers based on districts, public members appointed by the Provincial government
Are mentors in the CDHO Mentorship Program allowed to be compensated for their role?
No, mentors cannot be compensated
What is involved in the CDHO Mentorship Program?
Co-discovery process, clinical and administrative management discussions, client records review
What is included in the professional portfolio for dental hygienists in Ontario?
Personal information, education and employment profiles, current practice protocol reporting, professional reading, and continuous quality improvement plan and activities
What is mandatory for dental hygienists in Ontario as part of quality assurance programs?
Professional portfolio, peer assessment, self-assessment tools, and a selection process for review
What are some specific contraindications outlined in the regulation for scaling teeth and root planing without clearance from a physician or dentist?
Cardiac conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, active chemotherapy or radiation therapy, significant immunosuppression, blood disorders, active tuberculosis, and more
What must be obtained and discussed with the client or substitute decision maker before providing dental hygiene care?
A thorough health and dental history
What should a member do if in doubt about the accuracy of the patient's medical or oral history?
Must not perform a procedure
What is required as part of best practices for all clinical settings?
Current infection procedures, emergency protocols, written policies for client information, current CPR certification, appropriate radiography protocol, and sufficient equipment and supplies
What does the quality assurance program for dental hygienists in Ontario include?
Submission of previous 3 years' self-assessment of their practice yearly and a 'Peer Circle Project'
How many statutory committees support the regulatory process at the CDHO?
Seven
Who appoints the public members of the CDHO Council?
The Provincial government
What is the current role of Glen Pettifer at the CDHO?
Registrar/CEO
How many self-initiation streams for registration have been recently introduced for dental hygienists?
Three
What is the purpose of the CDHO Mentorship Program?
To facilitate professional development
Who oversees the day-to-day operations of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario?
The Registrar/CEO
How many times per year does the CDHO Council meet to discuss regulatory policies?
Four
What is included in the professional portfolio for dental hygienists in Ontario?
Personal information, education and employment profiles, current practice protocol reporting, professional reading, and continuous quality improvement plan and activities
What is a specific contraindication outlined in the regulation for scaling teeth and root planing without clearance from a physician or dentist?
Active tuberculosis
What is involved in the CDHO Quality Assurance program?
Professional portfolio, peer assessment, self-assessment tools, and a selection process for review
What is the role of the mentor in the CDHO Mentorship Program?
To declare the mentee's skills, knowledge, and professional behavior
What must be obtained and discussed with the client or substitute decision maker before providing dental hygiene care?
A thorough health and dental history
What are some specific health conditions to consider before performing a dental hygiene procedure?
Cardiac conditions requiring prophylactic antibiotics
What should a member do if in doubt about the accuracy of the patient's medical or oral history?
Not perform the procedure
What is the main focus of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)'s regulatory mandate?
Ensuring the overall health and safety of the public of Ontario
What are the entry-to-practice requirements for dental hygienists regulated by CDHO?
Successful completion of a dental hygiene program and passing the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) examination
What is the role of the CDHO Council and Registrar?
Regulating the practice of dental hygiene and overseeing the CDHO Mentorship Program
What is the purpose of the CDHO Quality Assurance program?
To ensure that dental hygienists maintain high standards of practice and competence
What is the background of Dr. Glenn Pettifer, the new Registrar and CEO of CDHO?
Significant leadership experience at the Senior Management level of Ontario Health Profession Regulatory Colleges
What are the 7 mandatory statutory CDHO Council Committees responsible for?
Addressing specific regulatory and governance functions
What are the contraindications to initiating dental hygiene care according to CDHO?
Clearance from a physician or dentist is required for scaling teeth and root planing in certain medical conditions
What are the areas that goals for those in clinical practice should be related to?
All of the above
What is one of the ethical and legal obligations of dental hygienists that goals should be related to?
Social justice as it relates to dental hygiene, access to care
What is mandatory for dental hygienists in Ontario as part of quality assurance programs?
Participating in a program designed to evaluate the knowledge, skill, and judgment
What is one of the learning activities that can be utilized to achieve learning goals?
All of the above
What is the Section 82 of the RHPA Procedural Code about?
Co-operation with Committee and assessors
Where can discipline case decisions related to not meeting Quality Assurance requirements be reviewed?
CDHO Website
What is the name of the book by Wilkins (2017)?
Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist
What is the main focus of the CDHO's regulatory mandate?
Quality Assurance
How are the Council members elected and appointed?
By the CDHO members
What is the statutory definition of 'spouse' under the RHPA as mentioned in the text?
A person to whom the member is married
What is the requirement for treating a sexual partner who does not meet the definition of a spouse under the RHPA?
Must not be treated as it will be considered sexual abuse
What is the requirement for treating a spouse as mentioned in the text?
Follow all professional formalities and maintain professional distance
What is the duration of the conjugal relationship required for a person to be considered a 'spouse' under the RHPA?
Three years
What is the requirement for treating a sexual partner who does not meet the definition of a spouse under the RHPA?
Must not be treated as it will be considered sexual abuse
What is the requirement for treating a spouse as mentioned in the text?
Follow all professional formalities and maintain professional distance
What did Bill 87 introduce to address sexual abuse in dentistry?
Fast-tracking of discipline cases
What is the focus of protective measures for dental hygienists in client interactions?
Stopping flirtatious behavior and avoiding suggestive comments
When was spousal treatment permitted in Ontario for dental hygienists?
2014
What is the significance of the CDHO's Spousal Exception Regulation?
It was narrowly defined and passed by the Ontario government on October 8, 2020
What is the focus of 'touching principles' for dental hygienists?
Obtaining consent for care and respecting cultural diversity
What led to a lawsuit of over $1 million in dentistry?
Failure to report unsafe patient
What is one of the Mandatory Regulatory Activities established by the Regulated Health Professions Act and Dental Hygiene Act?
Quality assurance program
What is a duty of dental hygienists in relation to self-regulation?
Cooperating with the regulatory college
What can lead to professional misconduct for dental hygienists?
Refusing to participate in the Quality Assurance Program
What is a requirement for using the title 'dental hygienist' legally?
Only registered dental hygienists can legally use the title
What are dental hygienists obligated to participate in?
Quality Assurance Program
What is included in the Mandatory reporting requirements for dental hygienists?
Reporting sexual abuse
What was the unintended effect of the 'order' requirement for dental hygienists in Ontario?
It tied the provision of dental hygiene services with those of the dentist, making it difficult for the public to access oral hygiene care in non-traditional settings.
What was the significance of the RHPA, 1991 and the DHA, 1991 for the establishment of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)?
They provided the legal framework for the establishment of CDHO and the regulation of dental hygiene practice in Ontario.
What was the role of the 'order' requirement in the dental hygiene practice in Ontario?
It required dental hygienists to obtain an 'order' from a dentist for the client to have scaling and root planning, effectively tying the provision of dental hygiene services with those of the dentist.
What did the 'order' requirement for dental hygienists in Ontario aim to address?
Client choice of practitioner for scaling and root planning procedures.
What was the unintended impact of the 'order' requirement on the public's access to oral hygiene care?
It made it very difficult for the public to access oral hygiene care in non-traditional settings.
What was the primary focus of the lobbying efforts by organized dentistry during the government committee hearings?
To include the restriction that dental hygienists had to obtain an 'order' from a dentist for the client to have scaling and root planning.
What did the amendment to the legislation in 2007 allow dental hygienists to do?
Perform scaling and root planing without a dentist's order
What is required if there are contraindications or doubts about the client's health history?
Clearance from a physician or dentist
What is not included in a standing order or self-initiation for dental hygienists?
Orthodontic procedures
What did the initial drafts of the RHPA in 1991 determine about dental hygienists?
They had the knowledge, skill, and judgment to self-initiate certain procedures
What is the main focus of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991?
To provide the framework for the entire health profession sector
What does the Health Professions Procedural Code outline?
Common duties and procedures for all 26 health colleges
Study Notes
Regulations and Quality Assurance for Dental Hygienists
- Declaration of Statement of Confidence is submitted by the mentor to declare the mentee's skills, knowledge, and professional behavior.
- A thorough health and dental history must be obtained and discussed with the client or substitute decision maker before providing dental hygiene care.
- The regulation outlines prescribed contraindications to scaling teeth and root planing, including curetting surrounding tissue, without clearance from a physician or dentist.
- Specific contraindications include cardiac conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, active chemotherapy or radiation therapy, significant immunosuppression, blood disorders, active tuberculosis, and more.
- A member must not perform a procedure if in doubt about the accuracy of the patient's medical or oral history.
- Health conditions to consider include cardiac conditions requiring prophylactic antibiotics, unstable medical or oral health conditions, active chemotherapy or radiation therapy, immune suppression, blood disorders, and more.
- Best practices for all clinical settings include having current infection procedures, emergency protocols, written policies for client information, current CPR certification, appropriate radiography protocol, and sufficient equipment and supplies.
- Quality assurance programs are mandatory for dental hygienists in Ontario and involve a professional portfolio, peer assessment, self-assessment tools, and a selection process for review.
- The professional portfolio includes personal information, education and employment profiles, current practice protocol reporting, professional reading, and continuous quality improvement plan and activities.
- Dental hygienists are required to submit their previous 3 years' self-assessment of their practice yearly and identify areas for improvement in their personal learning plan.
- The quality assurance program includes a "Peer Circle Project" involving group discussions using hypothetical cases and a self-assessment tool called "SMILE PORTAL."
- A random selection process captures all registrants for review, and they are required to submit their previous 3 years' self-assessment of their practice yearly.
Regulations and Quality Assurance for Dental Hygienists
- Declaration of Statement of Confidence is submitted by the mentor to declare the mentee's skills, knowledge, and professional behavior.
- A thorough health and dental history must be obtained and discussed with the client or substitute decision maker before providing dental hygiene care.
- The regulation outlines prescribed contraindications to scaling teeth and root planing, including curetting surrounding tissue, without clearance from a physician or dentist.
- Specific contraindications include cardiac conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, active chemotherapy or radiation therapy, significant immunosuppression, blood disorders, active tuberculosis, and more.
- A member must not perform a procedure if in doubt about the accuracy of the patient's medical or oral history.
- Health conditions to consider include cardiac conditions requiring prophylactic antibiotics, unstable medical or oral health conditions, active chemotherapy or radiation therapy, immune suppression, blood disorders, and more.
- Best practices for all clinical settings include having current infection procedures, emergency protocols, written policies for client information, current CPR certification, appropriate radiography protocol, and sufficient equipment and supplies.
- Quality assurance programs are mandatory for dental hygienists in Ontario and involve a professional portfolio, peer assessment, self-assessment tools, and a selection process for review.
- The professional portfolio includes personal information, education and employment profiles, current practice protocol reporting, professional reading, and continuous quality improvement plan and activities.
- Dental hygienists are required to submit their previous 3 years' self-assessment of their practice yearly and identify areas for improvement in their personal learning plan.
- The quality assurance program includes a "Peer Circle Project" involving group discussions using hypothetical cases and a self-assessment tool called "SMILE PORTAL."
- A random selection process captures all registrants for review, and they are required to submit their previous 3 years' self-assessment of their practice yearly.
Changes in Dental Hygiene Practice in Ontario
- The proclamation in September 2007 allowed dental hygienists authorized by the CDHO to self-initiate preventive oral health care procedures.
- Self-initiation was implemented on September 1, 2007, but it was rescinded on September 22, 2023.
- Dental hygienists approved for self-initiation status with the CDHO did not need to receive an order from a dentist to perform certain procedures since 2007.
- The amendment to the legislation meant that all dental hygienists could perform the controlled act of scaling and root planing on their own initiative.
- Clearance from a physician or dentist is required if any contraindications are present or if there is any doubt about the client's health history.
- The amendment aimed to ensure greater access to dental hygiene services for the public, including for the homebound, elderly, remote, and institutionalized individuals.
- Initial drafts of the RHPA in 1991 had determined that dental hygienists had the knowledge, skill, and judgment to "self-initiate" certain procedures, including scaling and root planing.
- There are specific contraindications that must be considered before performing dental hygiene procedures, such as cardiac conditions requiring antibiotics and active chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- Orthodontic and restorative procedures require a client-specific order and are not included in a standing order or self-initiation.
- The practice of dental hygiene includes assessment and treatment by preventive and therapeutic means, as well as the provision of restorative and orthodontic procedures and services.
- The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, provides the framework for the entire health profession sector.
- The Health Professions Procedural Code outlines the common duties and procedures for all 26 health colleges and identifies responsibilities for college council and statutory committees.
Test your knowledge of regulations and quality assurance requirements for dental hygienists in Ontario with this quiz. Explore topics such as health history assessment, contraindications for dental procedures, infection control, emergency protocols, quality assurance programs, and professional portfolios.
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