Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

215Chapter 9 – Profession of DentistryEducation and Continuing CompetencyDentistry education in Ontario and across Canada ensures that entry-topracticedentistry graduates are competent to safely and effectively use andprescribe drugs.Although dentistry curricula vary slightly across Canadian universities, ingeneral, dentistry students take courses in general microbiology, anatomy,histology, pathology, pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokineticsalongside medical students or at a similar level to courses offered tomedical students. Most programs offer two courses in anaesthesia and allprograms offer extensive general pharmacology courses at a similar level tomedical students, as well as a dentistry-specific pharmacology course. Allprograms offer courses in general medicine focusing on how commonillnesses impact dental care.Applicants to studies in a faculty of dentistry must have successfullycompleted three years of university education that included courses inbiochemistry, physiology and life sciences. Graduates of four-yearundergraduate studies in dentistry are conferred the degree of Doctor ofDental Surgery (D.D.S.).Competency EvaluationIn order to practise dentistry in Ontario, an applicant must be a graduate ofan accredited four-year university dentistry program, have successfullycompleted the National Dental Examining Board of Canada examinationsand be certified by the RCDSO.Request for ChangeThe RCDSO and the ODA are not seeking any change to the currentauthorization for the prescribing, administration or use of drugs for theprofession.Proponents’ RationaleThe RCDSO notes that dentists are limited to treating patients withconditions that fall within the scope of practice of dentistry. Further,regulations require that each dentist maintain the standards of practice ofthe profession, and not attempt to treat beyond his or her expertise orcompetence. 6The RCDSO feels that the current framework reflects best practices for theprescribing and administration of drugs in the course of practice for itsmembers. Specifically it provides flexibility to enable dentists to practiseacross a wide range of practices, from generalist to specialist. It alsoprovides important safeguards to protect the public. The proponents6RCDSO. Submission to HPRAC: Review of Non-Physician Prescribing and Administration of DrugsUnder the Regulated Health Professions Act. November 14, 2008: 1.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009