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Statement on Infection Prevention and Control

June 30, 2017

Infection prevention and control in dentistry is vital for safe patient care. Dentists are extensively trained on
infection prevention and our mandatory continuing education program makes the subject a priority.

Recent cases of dental ofces being closed by Public Health are alarming partly because they are very rare. In
every case, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) is committed to working with local public
health units, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care to help protect the public.

All dentists in Ontario are required to follow our Guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC). Our
Guidelines are robust and we are currently working to improve and update them with input from other health care
partners.

The Guidelines are clear about our expectations:

Dentists have an obligation to maintain the standards of practice of the profession and, accordingly, must
ensure that recommended infection prevention and control procedures are carried out in their ofces.
OHCWs [oral health care workers] must maintain current knowledge of infection prevention and control
procedures, and apply and maintain them appropriately and consistently. To this end, it is the dentists
responsibility to ensure that staff are adequately trained in infection prevention and control procedures,
and that the necessary supplies and equipment are available, fully operational, up-to-date and routinely
monitored for efcacy. In addition to professional obligations, dentists also have an ethical duty to
maintain a safe and healthy ofce environment for both patients and staff, and to adhere to all rules and
regulations related to the operation of a dental practice, including workplace health and safety and
environmental protection.

Those professional obligations include following public health guidelines as well as the recommendations of
manufacturers ofsterilization and other dental ofce equipment to ensure patient safety at all times.

The College recently contacted every one of our members to remind them of their infection control
responsibilities. We have also reached out to Public Health Ontario to discuss the arising concerns and to
consider new approaches where appropriate.

As a result of information provided to us, the Registrar of the College has ordered a number of investigations. More
information will be available when the investigations are complete.