The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) regulates the practice of dentistry in Ontario to ensure the public has access to safe, high-quality dental services.
The RCDSO:
• Sets the education and qualifications necessary to become a registered dentist
• Develops professional standards and resources
• Holds registered dentists accountable for their conduct and practice
We register dentists
We ensure only qualified, competent and ethical dentists are licensed to practise in Ontario.
We ensure quality
We promote continuous improvement in dental care through quality assurance programs and practice assessments.
Our Responsibilities
We investigate complaints
We respond to concerns about dentists’ conduct or care through an impartial and patient-focused complaints process.
We offer guidance
We support dentists with clear standards, resources and advice to help them deliver safe, inclusive and high-quality care.
The progress made this year strengthens our foundation for the future and reinforces our commitment to protecting patients through clear standards, thoughtful guidance and responsible innovation.
Advancing Regulatory Excellence
As our 2023–2025 Strategic Plan comes to an end, we invite you to reflect on the work achieved in 2025, shaped by years of focused effort and commitment.
Throughout the year, we made tangible progress across multiple fronts. We updated two standards of practice and published Foundations of Professionalism, a key document developed under our Access to Care strategic project.
Recognizing the importance of innovation and emerging trends, we released guidance on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in dentistry and developed a summary report on practice models and corporate dentistry that highlights opportunities and challenges.
Our dedication to professional development continued to grow through the RCDSO Connect webinar series, which engaged thousands of dentists on critical topics. These sessions are designed to equip dentists with practical tools and deepen their understanding of patients’ challenges and needs.
In alignment with our commitment to Reconciliation, we welcomed the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) as a new continuing education sponsor to support the advancement of Indigenous cultural safety education for dentists.
Continuing our commitment to risk management in the public interest, we took proactive steps to prepare for Ontario’s expanded As of Right legislation. The College collaborated with the Ministry of Health and regulatory partners to ensure readiness and uphold public protection under this new framework.
As we reflect on these accomplishments, we are reminded that regulatory excellence is not a destination but a continual journey of learning, adapting and evolving in the public interest.
The progress made this year strengthens our foundation for the future and reinforces our commitment to protecting patients through clear standards, thoughtful guidance and responsible innovation.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our Council members, staff, partners and the profession for their dedication and collaboration throughout this transformative year.
Daniel Faulkner
Registrar & CEO
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
Council’s work was guided by a shared vision: strengthening governance, advancing work on equity and inclusion, and acting in the public’s best interest.
A Year of Progress and Transformation
Throughout 2025, Council’s work was guided by a shared vision: strengthening governance, advancing work on equity and inclusion, and acting in the public’s best interest.
We began the year by welcoming new Council and committee members whose diverse expertise and perspectives have enriched our decision-making. Their contributions have helped build a strong foundation for the transformative work ahead.
Council advanced governance modernization as we prepare for the transition to a province-wide election model in 2026. The reforms introduced will enhance representation and foster stability, ensuring Council is equipped with a wide range of competencies needed now and in the future.
While the number of elected dentists on Council will shift, this change does not diminish the voice of the profession. Dentists will remain deeply engaged across College committees, programs and advisory roles, continuing to guide and strengthen the College’s work.
Council also played an active role in the College’s standards modernization work, sharing valuable insights and ensuring the updated frameworks are responsive to both current practice realities and patient needs.
One of Council’s most significant responsibilities this year was overseeing the divestment of the Professional Liability Program. As part of its stewardship role, Council approved the necessary regulatory amendments to ensure
that registrants continue to have robust liability protection. Council’s guidance was central to ensuring that the transition was carried out thoughtfully, securely and with the public interest at the core.
As our 2023–2025 Strategic Plan concludes, Council worked closely with RCDSO leaders to shape the College’s future direction. We reflected on priorities for the next decade, informing the development of two key documents: a vision for the next 10 years and the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. Together, these will guide the College in meeting emerging challenges and opportunities with clarity and purpose.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Council and committee members, College staff and our CEO & Registrar, Daniel Faulkner, for their leadership and collaboration.
Guided by our mandate, we remain committed to advancing patient-focused dental care in the public interest.
Dr. Harinder Sandhu President of Council
Royal
College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
Our Regulatory Journey
In 2025, the College advanced its regulatory work in response to evolving practice environments and public expectations. With a focus on standards, governance reforms, risk management and a commitment to reconciliation, we strengthened regulatory oversight and accountability.
MODERNIZING STANDARDS AND DEVELOPING NEW RESOURCES
In 2025, we continued to develop standards and resources to keep pace with evolving technology, public needs and practice models. These updates strengthened the College’s commitment to professionalism and supported, patient-centered dental care across Ontario.
¨ Prevention of Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse Standard of Practice
¨ Consent to Treatment Standard of Practice
¨ Artificial Intelligence guidance
¨ Foundations of Professionalism document
¨ Practice Models and Corporate Dentistry summary report
GOVERNANCE
Recognizing that effective governance must continually evolve, we implemented several key reforms in 2025:
• Single district province-wide election Promotes fairness and equity while strengthening representation across the profession.
• Reduced size of elected Council members Reduced the number of elected dentists’ seats on Council from 12 to 10.
• Updates to terms
Introduction of nine-year term limits, cooling-off periods and staggered terms for elected members.
• Refreshed competency and diversity profiles Ensures Council better reflects the skills, perspectives and lived experiences needed for effective oversight.
• Improvements to the candidate screening and evaluation process
A rigorous, competency-based approach to appointments.
• Supporting continuity during the transition Terms of office for three Executive Committee Council members extended to December 2027.
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY PROGRAM
We continued our multi-year transition of the Professional Liability Program (PLP), ensuring the program remains effective and sustainable.
• PLP divestment announcement: Navacord, one of Canada’s largest multi-line insurance brokerages, was selected to assume ownership and operation of PLP, effective January 1, 2026. Jones DesLauriers (JDIMI) continues to serve as the broker of record providing excess liability coverage for dentists, supporting the PLP under Navacord’s ownership.
• Coverage continuity for members: Registration fees for 2026 include PLP coverage, with funds for the liability cost passed directly to Navacord.
• Smooth operational transition: Service and coverage remain unchanged during the transition, providing uninterrupted support for dentists seeking assistance with claims, risk management advice or legal guidance.
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
The College has committed to advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Ontario, focusing on cultural safety, competency and meaningful partnerships.
OUR PARTNERS
• First Peoples Group
◇ Strengthens the College and Council’s understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
◇ Supporting the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan to embed reconciliation values into our regulatory work.
• Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC)
◇ Provides educational opportunities to enhance clinical and cultural safety and competency.
Engaging and Listening
In 2025, the RCDSO strengthened its engagement with the public, the dental community and system partners to ensure regulatory decisions are informed, transparent and aligned with the evolving needs of Ontarians.
INSIGHTS FROM ONTARIANS
To better understand public experiences and expectations of dental care, the College conducted a Voice of the Patient polling initiative. The results provided key insights into satisfaction with dental care, access challenges, equity issues and awareness of the RCDSO. These findings are foundational in shaping a more responsive and patient-centered regulatory framework, and the data collected will inform future standards, guidance and policy development.
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
Throughout 2025, the College engaged the public, dentists and stakeholders through consultations to gather meaningful feedback on standards and resources. These consultations strengthened policy development and ensured that a wide range of perspectives informed final decisions.
2,000 Ontarians surveyed
9 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
¨ Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry
¨ Foundations of Professionalism
¨ Standards of Practice:
◇ Dental CT Scanners
◇ Managing Conflicts and Ending the Dentist-Patient Relationship
◇ Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dental Practice
◇ Implant Dentistry
¨ Registration Regulation Amendment
¨ By-law amendments:
◇ 2026 Annual Fee
◇ Professional Liability Coverage
Collaborating with Partners
We strengthened collaboration with government, dental faculties, regulators and the broader oral health sector to support improved access to care, enhanced professionalism and greater system alignment.
The following features key accomplishments from a selection of system partners.
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF HEALTH
¨ Inter-provincial mobility
¨ As of Right legislation
NATIONAL DENTAL EXAMINING BOARD OF CANADA (NDEB)
The College supported:
¨ National standards
¨ Examination design and capacity
¨ Access to examinations for internationally trained dentists
ONTARIO FACULTIES OF DENTISTRY
¨ Standards of Practice and resource development
¨ Regulatory modernization
¨ Educational initiatives
¨ Exploring new contributions aligned with the College’s mandate (e.g., bursaries)
¨ Partnered on Western University’s Professionalism Day
ONTARIO DENTAL ASSOCIATION (ODA)
Discussion of profession-wide issues (e.g., human resources, data gathering)
Joint communications with other oral health regulators on emergent public health issues (e.g., measles outbreak)
RCDSO hosted a booth and staff delivered category 1 course presentations at the ODA Annual Spring Meeting
ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN FACULTIES OF DENTISTRY (ACFD)
Exploring an additional licensure pathway for internationally trained dentists.
Ensuring Safe, Accessible Registration Pathways
The College consistently met all regulated registration timelines, maintaining efficient and low processing times while delivering impeccable customer service.
The Registration Regulation was amended to support the divestment of the Professional Liability Program. Additional amendments were introduced to streamline processes and enhance transparency:
¨ Introduction of a mechanism to ensure dentists can’t practice without appropriate work authorization once registered.
¨ Streamlining pathways for dentists returning to practice in Ontario after an absence.
¨ Amendments to suspension and reinstatement provisions, including the addition of targeted exclusions to reinstatement, to reduce administrative burden while maintaining robust safeguards.
By establishing a clear, enforceable mechanism for requiring and maintaining professional liability protection following the divestment, the College ensured continuity of public protection.
The Profession in Focus
Dentists on Register
12,134
Dentists on register
* Number of unique dentists who held an active certificate of registration at any time during the 2025 calendar year.
Certificate types
** While the registration and annual renewal questionnaires include an option for registrants to identify as ‘Other’, no registrants selected this option.
Driving Excellence Through Practical Learning
Our Quality Assurance (QA) program continued to support dentists in strengthening their core competencies through practical learning opportunities focused on priority areas and timely topics, helping dentists deepen their understanding and deliver better care to their patients. These learning opportunities deepened our engagement with system partners, supporting them in sharing critical information and reinforcing RCDSO’s role as a trusted, valued partner.
8,810 Cumulative attendance
6 Category 1 RCDSO Connect webinars
Access to Care
Quantifying Disability: The Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH) Case Complexity Tool
The Role of Dentists in Gender-Based Violence/ Intimate Partner Violence and their Impact on Oral Healthcare Delivery
10,747 Category 1 points awarded
6
LEARNING
IN ACTION TOOLKITS
Designed to complement the RCDSO Connect webinars, these activities and resources support dentists in applying best practices in their daily practice.
Jurisprudence & Ethics
The AI Advantage: Transforming Dental Practice in the Digital Age
Clear Conversations: Strengthening Communication in Dental Practice
Professionalism in Practice
Standards
Standards in Focus: What’s New in Consent to Treatment and Prevention of Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse
PRACTICE ENHANCEMENT TOOL (PET)
2,043 DENTISTS COMPLETED THE ASSESSMENT
97.5% passed on 1st attempt
1,654 CE AUDITS
FOR THE THREE-YEAR CYCLE ENDING DEC. 2025
96.3% met the requirements or had a minor shortfall
11,268 ANNUAL DECLARATION OF COMPLIANCE
SELF-REPORTED
Represents 99.6% of dentists
17 CE SESSIONS DELIVERED In Recordkeeping and Infection Prevention And Control (IPAC)
984 participants
3,354 Category 1 points earned
QA INSIGHTS
NEW CONTINUING EDUCATION SPONSORS
Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC)
Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH)
73 CATEGORY 1 COURSES APPROVED
Together, these initiatives promote continued competence, reinforce professional accountability and support inclusive and accessible care.
Ensuring Safety and Compliance
Our Facility Inspection Program (FIP) helps ensure that Ontario dental practices providing sedation, general anesthesia and dental computerized tomography (CT) operate safely and meet regulatory obligations. Through regular inspections and renewals, we verify practitioner authorizations and permits and ensure facilities:
• have the required equipment
• are prepared to respond to emergencies
• provide patient care that aligns with the College’s Standards of Practice
119 New authorizations
989 Authorizations renewed
110 New facility permits
694 Facility permits renewed
5,520
Strengthening Public Confidence through Accountability
The College addresses concerns about dentists’ practice, conduct or competence, which may involve an investigation by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC).
Complaints
Top Issues*
Some complaints address more than one issue
Using a risk-based framework, the ICRC determines the appropriate regulatory action in the public interest. It may refer very serious concerns about a dentist to the Discipline Committee for a hearing.
In 2025, RCDSO received 778 complaints, a 22.5% increase over 2024. Our continued focus on workflow review and process improvements supported our ability to manage an increased volume of complaints, while achieving faster investigative and decision disposition timelines.
The addition of subject matter expert adjudicators to Discipline Committee panels in 2025 enhanced the committee’s ability to adjudicate complex matters and strengthened its capacity to respond to increased referral volumes in 2024 and 2025.
These achievements reflect RCDSO’s ongoing commitment to protecting the public through integrity and transparency in our regulatory processes.
Providing Consistent Support
The Professional Liability Program (PLP) staff remained focused on delivering timely guidance, managing claims efficiently and ensuring that dentists received consistent, reliable assistance when concerns or potential claims arose.
In 2025, new PLP case files increased by 37% compared to 2024, largely due to the College’s reminders that dentists report any known claims or situations which could possibly lead to a claim by December 31, 2025, ahead of the transition to Navacord (effective January 1, 2026).
2,542 New files
792 Precautionary matters No formal demand for compensation; precautionary advice provided to dentist
422 Release matters Dentists refund patients or cover re-treatment costs
1,243 Threatened litigation Demand for compensation actively involving PLP staff
85 Legal actions Lawsuit initiated by patients/lawyers at Ontario Courts
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, the College will continue offering meaningful learning opportunities to the profession. This includes expanding continuing education opportunities, strengthening soft-skills development and deepening engagement through RCDSO Connect webinars.
Our commitment to regulatory excellence remains steadfast. We will continue to modernize standards and resources, advance equity, promote innovation and strengthen our role in protecting the public interest.
We will build on Council’s work to explore a renewed RCDSO 10-year vision and the launch of our new strategic plan, continuing to apply evidence-informed, risk-based, right-touch regulation to guide our decisions.
By working collaboratively with dentists, the public and partners across the health system, we look forward to supporting a profession that is well-informed, well-supported and well-positioned to meet the needs of Ontarians for years to come.
The People Behind
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr. Harinder Sandhu, President
Dr. Nalin Bhargava, Vice-President
Brian Smith
Marc Trudell
Dr. Erin Walker
APPOINTED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL
Patrick Ballantyne
Ram Chopra
James Colliver
Cristina Cordeiro
Eleonora Fisher
Vivian Hu
Nizar Ladak
Adal Simeone
Brian Smith
Roderick Stableforth
Marc Trudell
Judith Welikovitch
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
Dr. Nalin Bhargava District 1
Dr. Robyn Somerville District 2
Dr. Peter Delean District 3
Dr. Neil J. Gajjar District 4
Dr. Daniel Fortino District 5
Dr. Harinder Sandhu District 6
Dr. Erin Walker District 7
Dr. Osama Soliman District 8
Dr. Antony Liscio District 9
Dr. Deborah Wilson District 10
Dr. Eilyad Honarparvar District 11
Dr. Anthony Mair District 12
Behind the Mission
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Dr. Daniel Haas
NON-COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dr. Hanin Abdullah
Dr. Jessica Aiello
Dr. Nehal Al Tarhuni
Dr. Harpaul Anand
Dr. Kateryna Antonova
Dr. Rebecca
Behnaz Sharif
Dr. Rajiv Butany
Dr. Vincent Carere
Dr. Noha Gomaa
Dr. Saurabh Chhabra
Dr. Mae Daemi
Dr. Ousama Damlaj
Dr. Priscilla de Araujo
Dr. Nancy Di Santo
Dr. Parminder Dulay
Dr. Elliott Gnidec
Dr. Irwin Golosky
Dr. Nicole Greenwood
Dr. Gehan Ibrahim
Dr. Jaffer Kermalli
Dr. Amro Mahder Bashi
Dr. Laura Minea
Dr. Ramona Motakef
Dr. Christina Oprescu-Havriliuc
Dr. Maryam Pezeshki
Dr. Jay Rabinovich
Dr. Sakshi Rai
Dr. Arnold Reich
Dr. Priscilla
Sampaio de Araujo
Dr. Sweetu Shah
Dr. Sehar Siddiqui
Dr. Neil Silver
Dr. Andre Theoret
Dr. Vanessa Theriault
Dr. Kate Towarnicki
Dr. Jennifer Tse
Dr. Mingyang Xie
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dental Surgeons of Ontario
Independent Auditor’s Report On Summary Financial Statements
To the Members of Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
OPINION
financial statements, which comprise the summary statement of financial position as at December 31, 2024, statement of operations for the year then ended, and the related note, are derived from the audited financial the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario for the year ended December 31, 2024.
THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OUR REPORT THEREON
the accompanying summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial statements on described in the note to the summary financial statement.
Financial Statements
The summary financial statements, which comprise the summary statement of financial position as at December 31, 2025, the summary statement of operations for the year then ended, and the related note, are derived from the audited financial statements of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario for the year ended December 31, 2025.
We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the audited financial statements in our report dated June 22, 2026.
financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian accounting standards for organizations. Reading the summary financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon, therefore, is not a reading the audited financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon. The summary financial statements financial statements do not reflect the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the date of our report financial statements.
Financial Statements and Our Report Thereon
In our opinion, the accompanying summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial statements on the basis described in the note to the summary financial statement.
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Management is responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements on the basis described in the note to the summary financial statements.
an unmodified audit opinion on the audited financial statements in our report dated June 19, 2025.
SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibility for the Summary Financial Statements
responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements on the basis described in the note to the financial statements.
Responsibility
responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in accordance with Canadian Auditing Standard (CAS) Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements .
The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. Reading the summary financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon. The summary financial statements and the audited financial statements do not reflect the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the date of our report on the audited financial statements.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in accordance with Canadian Auditing Standard (CAS) 810, Engagements to ReportonSummaryFinancialStatements
Licensed Public Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario
June 22, 2026
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
Summary Statement of Financial Position
$ 105,113,667
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
Summary Statement of Operations
Notes To The Summary Financial Statements
The preparation of these summary financial statements requires management to determine the information that needs to be included to ensure they are consistent in all material respects with, or represent a fair summary of, the audited financial statements.
Management prepared these summary financial statements using the following criteria:
a. The summary financial statements include a statement for each statement in the audited financial statements, except the statement of changes in net assets and statement of cash flows, which can be obtained from the complete set of audited financial statements;
b. The information in the summary financial statements is in agreement with the related information in the audited financial statements;
c. Major subtotals, totals and comparative information from the audited financial statements are included; and
d. The summary financial statements contain the information necessary to avoid distorting or obscuring matters disclosed in the related audited financial statements, including the notes thereto.
