Lighting a fire
under the need for regulation
New ODAA ad sparks dentists’ letter writing campaign
Even “bad” publicity is good publicity. The latest ODAA ad called “I wonder...” has created waves among some Ontario dentists who refer to it as “fear-mongering.”
Following publication of the ad in major and secondary markets in Ontario the ODA General Council decided that leaders of the local dental societies should write a letter to the editor. To date, only one letter has appeared in the Windsor Star.
In response, the ODAA distributed a press release to explain our position and to inform the media that the HPRAC process is well underway. This release was sent to 22 local papers and the Ontario Health Network List, and posted online through Marketwire.
In addition, we are very pleased to say that a letter from the CDAA was written by the President, Ms. Trish Divell, CDR, CDTC, supporting our position and our ad and has been sent to the editor of the Windsor Star.
We at the ODAA view this chain of events as an opportunity to continue to raise awareness of the need for regulation of dental assistants.
This powerful ad ran three times in all major papers in Ontario and once in secondary markets.
Letter to The Windsor Star
Dental assistants' ad insinuates patient risk
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
We are extremely disappointed by the misleading advertisement that ran in your paper this month, placed by the Ontario Dental Assistants Association. The ad shows a patient in a dental chair with the caption "I wonder who is responsible for sterilizing these instruments."
The ad is fear mongering.
Dentists across the province believe the care and well-being of their patients is their No. 1 priority. All dentists follow strict infection control guidelines laid out by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, many of which are specific to the sterilization of instruments used in our dental offices. The safety of our patients is paramount and to insinuate otherwise is irresponsible.
We understand the ODAA is proposing greater recognition and regulation for dental assistants' work, but it should not come by way of panicking patients.
If you have a question because of this ad, talk to the professional responsible for your overall oral health care, your dentist.
Dr. Charles D. Frank
President
Essex County Dental Society
Letter to the Windsor Star (Rebuttal)
Upgrade training for dental assistants
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
In his recent letter to the editor referring to an ad about dental assisting regulation, Dr. Charles Frank, president of the Essex County Dental Society, accuses the Ontario Dental Assistants Association of fear-mongering. Dr. Frank's remarks are wrong and unfair.
Fear comes from ignorance. The ODAA is shedding light on a subject that few Ontarians consider, but that affects their health and well-being. Dental assistants are the front-line defence against infection in the dental office.
The ODAA believes that dental assistants should be formally trained and certified and is asking the people of Ontario to consider the question.
The Liberal government recently called for a more rigorous approach to limiting the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals.
Of no less importance is the management of infectious disease in dental clinics. Is this fear-mongering or simply good health care policy?
In eight Canadian provinces dental assisting is a licensed health care profession.
The U.S. Center for Disease Controls' infection control guidelines for dental clinics calls for all staff who share responsibility for the prevention of infection to receive formal education in asepsis procedures and to take a refresher course each year.
Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman recently referred the regulation of dental assistants to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council.
We hope that the minister and HPRAC will see that proper education and certification of dental assistants, who share so much of the responsibility for our health and safety, is good for Ontario.
I challenge Dr. Frank to say otherwise.
TRISH DIVELL
President
Canadian Dental Assistants Association
ODAA Rebuttal Release
Ontario Dental Assistants are one Step Closer to Becoming a Regulated Profession
May 15, 2008 09:30 ET
Regulation of dental assistants is in the best interests of dental assistants, dentists and the general public, says Ontario Dental Assistants Association.
LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 15, 2008) - The Ontario government has agreed to consider regulating Ontario dental assistants. Currently, it is not mandatory that dentists hire dental assistants who are formally educated or certified, despite the fact that DAs have important responsibilities related to infection control, such as sterilizing instruments and disinfecting operatories.
"Dental assistants who are formally trained have knowledge of disease transmission and infection control," says Judy Melville, Executive Director of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA), the certifying body for Ontario Dental Assistants. "Without regulation, untrained individuals are able work in dental offices. With the heightened awareness of infectious diseases, we feel that the importance of proper disinfection and sterilization cannot be overemphasized."
"Regulation will not only protect the public, but Ontario dentists as well. They will have a capable, formally educated workforce and they will be able to confidently delegate work to the full extent of a dental assistant's duties."
Dental assisting is currently a regulated health profession in eight provinces, with the exceptions being Ontario and Quebec. In 2007, Mr. George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, put forward an official request to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) to review whether the practice of dental assistants ought to be regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). The ODAA has been contacted by HPRAC requesting a meeting on June 21 as a first step in the consultation process.
"This is great news because it means we are getting closer to realizing our goal for regulation," says Melville. "The ODAA believes that dental assistants are important health care professionals. Only formally educated people who have a firm understanding of disease transmission and infection control should practice their work. It is in the interest of public health and safety."
For more information, please contact
Ontario Dental Assistants Association
Judy Melville
Executive Director
(519) 679-2566 Ext. 25
Email: jmelville@ody.ca
Press Release sent to:
Primary Spring Campaign List:
- Sault Ste. Marie Star
- Sudbury Star
- Ottawa Citizen
- London Free Press
- Thunder Bay Chronicle
- Kitchener/Waterloo Record
- Sarnia Observer
- Hamilton Spectator
- Toronto Star
- Windsor Star
Secondary Spring Campaign List:
- Barrie Examiner
- Bellville Intelligencer
- Cornwall Standard
- Kingston Whig-Standard
- Niagara Falls Review
- St. Catharines Standard
- North Bay Nugget
- Owen Sound Sun Times
- Peterborough Examiner
- Timmins Daily Press
- Chatham Daily News
- Brockville Recorder
Download Full Ontario Media List
Important Information - Working for a Dental Hygienist
With the recent amendment to the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991 some Ontario Dental Hygienists are now opening their own clinics and may employ dental assistants.
Please be advised that dental hygienists may not initiate the taking of radiographs. Therefore, dental assistants working in the employ of a dental hygienist may not take radiographs unless the patient/client has a prescription from a dentist.
Level II dental assistants working for a dental hygienist may practice all their intra-oral duties when the dental hygienist is present in the office.
ODAA encourages dental assistants working in dental hygiene clinics to purchase their own malpractice insurance. As a member of ODAA, you can purchase this insurance through CDAA.
The Ottawa Mission Dental Clinic
Have you ever felt like you wanted to use your dental assisting skills with a non-profit organization or a great cause in your area but just didn't know where to start?
Regulation Update
It is now official. The Health Minister has asked HPRAC (Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council) to "advise whether the practice of dental assistants ought to be regulated....and if so, what would be the appropriate scope of practice, controlled acts and titles authorized to the profession." He also asked that the Council "take into account the activities that these practitioners undertake with respect to x-rays and other forms of energy and the circumstances in which these are being done".
Please click on the following link for additional information: HPRAC
This is indeed positive news for the profession of dental assisting.
Regards
Judy Melville
Executive Director
Dental Practice Management Program - University of Toronto
CLICK HERE for more information.