Strategic Planning Session

Board members received a summary report about the strategic planning/focus group session held on February 25, 2011. The session confirmed CDSBC is on the right track with respect to current and future projects and building partnerships with key organizations. Session participants also expressed a desire for more information and communication from the College.

The report was accepted as a draft document by the Board. The Board asked the Executive to draft a strategic plan for discussion by the Board this fall.

Code of Ethics – Principles

As part of the update of the CDSBC Code of Ethics, the Ethics Committee developed a list of 13 principles that are based on the five Core Values approved by the Board in 2010.

Core Values:

Autonomy - Understand and respect patients’ rights to make informed decisions based on their personal values and beliefs.
Beneficence - Maximize benefits and minimize harm for the welfare of the patient.
Compassion - Act with respect, sympathy and kindness to all patients while addressing their concerns and alleviating their pain.
Fairness - Treat all individuals, patients, colleagues and third parties without prejudice or discrimination in a just and equitable manner.
Integrity - Be truthful; behave with honour and decency while upholding professional standards.

The principles, which address expectations for practice by dentists and CDAs are as follows:

1. The paramount responsibility of a dentist or CDA is to the health and well-being of the patient.

2. Provide care with respect, dignity and without discrimination.

3. Be truthful and obey all applicable laws.

4. Commit to the highest level of professionalism by maintaining current knowledge and competency.

5. Respect the right of patients to be cared for by the dentist of their choice.

6. Provide appropriate and timely care that is consistent with the standards of the profession.

7. Obtain informed consent and provide unbiased explanation of options with associated benefits, risks and costs before proceeding with diagnostic or therapeutic modalities.

8. Recognize limitations and refer patients to others more qualified when appropriate for the well-being of the patient.

9. Never overstate or embellish abilities and qualifications, or engage in any activity, including advertising or speech that could mislead a reasonable person.

10. Maintain a safe and healthy office environment.

11. Patients should be informed of their oral health status without disparaging remarks about prior services or circumstances.

12. Maintain appropriate and dignified boundaries in relationships with patients.

13. Protect the confidentiality of the personal and health information of patients.

These Principles were presented by Ethics Committee Chair Dr. Ken Chow and approved by the Board. The CDSBC Code of Ethics Core Values and Principles is a foundation document and other documents will be created to support it.

CDSBC Committee Projects Update

Communications Strategy Workshop
CDSBC is considering how to communicate more effectively with dentists and CDAs. A senior communications consultant will work with the Executive to develop a communications plan for the College.

Infection Control Guidelines
CDSBC continues to collaborate with the College of Dental Hygienists of BC to develop revised Infection Control Guidelines for use in the dental office, including a review of guidelines that exist in other jurisdictions. A draft document has been circulated to the Infection Control Working Group, and will later be circulated to a larger group for review as part of the consultation process. The intent is to distribute the draft Infection Control Guidelines to the Board in October.

Minimal and Moderate Sedation Guidelines
The Minimal and Moderate Sedation Working Group has made progress on the revised Guidelines and expects to present a draft to the Sedation Committee in the fall.

In future, CDSBC may require dentists to declare on the registration/renewal form what level of sedation they offer and to confirm they have the required education to administer it.

Dental Recordkeeping Course
CDSBC’s Dental Recordkeeping course was launched at the 2011 Pacific Dental Conference. Feedback from course attendees was very positive. This course will next be offered at the Thompson Okanagan Dental Society Conference in October. The College intends to make the Dental Recordkeeping course available to all dentists and CDAs as an online course.

Dermal Fillers – Update

CDSBC has received several requests to consider allowing general dentists to administer dermal fillers. The CDSBC Board formed a working group of oral surgeons knowledgeable in the area of dermal fillers to research this issue. The Board accepted the working group’s recommendation that, until the education and experience required for competent administration could be established, dermal fillers remain outside the scope of practice for general dentists. The only exception is for dentists who have had training in the use of dermal fillers as part of an accredited specialty program and have received approval from CDSBC.

The dermal filler working group will conduct further investigation into what would be required to safely administer dermal fillers and report back to the Board for further consideration. On the Board’s request, three general dentists will be appointed to the working group.

Prosthodontic Module Working Group

Under the Health Professions Act, CDSBC does not have the authority to set curriculum in CDA schools. This impacts the Prosthodontic Module Working Group, which had been formed to update the curriculum for the prosthodontic module. The Board approved the motion to disband the working group.

Governance Review

The CDSBC Governance Manual will be reviewed and updated for presentation to the Board in the fall.

Mission Statement

Board members were invited to submit their comments and suggested changes to CDSBC’s mission statement: “The College of Dental Surgeons of BC assures British Columbians of professional standards of oral health care, ethics and competence by regulating dentistry in a fair and reasonable manner.”

A discussion about the mission statement will take place at the October Board meeting.

Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation (CDRAF)

Registrar Heather MacKay has been elected by the Board of the CDRAF to serve on the Executive Committee of the CDRAF. This is the first time BC will have representation at the executive level of this national group. The next meeting of the CDRAF Board is in October.

Patient Relations Program

The Health Professions Act requires that CDSBC have a Patient Relations Committee to establish a patient relations program and to promote patient relations that are appropriate. Currently the CDSBC Board serves as this committee.

CDSBC will conduct a workshop with the Board and other stakeholders to further explore issues related to professional boundaries.

Next Board Meeting

The next meeting of the CDSBC Board will be held on October 15, 2011 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver.