Strategic Planning Session

Ms. Della Smith, principal of Q Workshops, facilitated a session to set goals and establish a framework for CDSBC’s strategic plan. The Board agreed to adopt a format similar to that used by the College of Pharmacists of BC, where key information about the strategic plan is contained on one page, with more detailed supporting information provided elsewhere.

Four high-level goals were discussed and agreed upon:

1. Fulfill regulatory responsibilities in a fair, transparent and effective manner;
2. Continue to improve professionalism and practice standards of dentists and certified dental assistants;
3. Identify and promote collaborative and productive relationships with key organizations and stakeholders;
4. Maintain a commitment to organizational excellence.

The Board formed a Strategic Planning Working Group to further develop the strategic plan. Members are: Drs. Coles, Stevenson-Moore, Buschel, Suzuki, Whitney, Zaparinuk, and Mr. De Vita.

Parliamentary Procedure and Board Meetings

Board members received a handout about the basic principles contained in Sturgis Rules of Parliamentary Procedure, 3rd edition as the guide for CDSBC Board meetings. President Coles also distributed a list of the expectations of Board members, which will facilitate efficient and professional meetings.

CDSBC Committee Overview

The Registrar gave an overview of all CDSBC committees: Audit, CDA Advisory, CDA Certification, Discipline, Ethics, Inquiry, Nominations, Patient Relations, Quality Assurance, Registration, and Sedation and General Anaesthetic Services.

Inquiry Committee – Report from Chair

Dr. John Carpendale, Chair of the Inquiry Committee, reported that the committee is on track to open a record number of new complaints this year. It is not known whether this is a new trend or an anomaly. The registrar reported that other health professions are also experiencing an increase in complaints.

Each complaint is reviewed in an unbiased, objective way by the committee members. Dr. Carpendale fielded questions from Board members.

As a follow-up, a flow chart that explains the complaints process will be sent to all Board members.

Draft Infection Control Guidelines – For Consultation

This document, created in conjunction with the College of Dental Hygienists, is now ready for posting and consultation until December 15, 2011. Comments will be forwarded to the Infection Control Working Group. The Board will receive a final draft for consideration, showing what changes were made in response to the feedback.

CDSBC will send a notice to dentists and CDAs advising of the draft document being posted on CDSBC’s website, along with the deadline for comments.

Committee Projects - Update

• Minimal and Moderate Sedation Guidelines

The first draft of the revised guidelines for minimal and moderate sedation is nearing completion. The committee is optimistic that it will be ready in time for the January Board meeting.

• Code of Ethics

The revised Code of Ethics has been well received and is being distributed to dentists and CDAs. The next project for the Ethics Committee is to update CDSBC’s advertising guidelines.

• Dental Recordkeeping Course

The Dental Recordkeeping course was presented at the Pacific Dental Conference (PDC) in 2011. It is being presented at the Thompson Okanagan Dental Society on October 20, 2011, at an Upper Island Dental Society meeting in the spring of 2012, and will be presented again at the PDC in 2012.

CDSBC Progress Report

• UBC

CDSBC continues to have a positive, collaborative relationship with the Faculty of Dentistry at UBC. The Registrar is involved in their ethics courses, sits on the UBC Curriculum committee and continues to attend various functions and ceremonies, including the white-coat ceremony, the graduation luncheon and a lunch for new dentistry students.

The Registrar and Dr. David Tobias presented a shorter version of the Dental Recordkeeping course to third-year students earlier this year.

• Component Societies

The President and Registrar continue to liaise with component societies and often give presentations on current issues. The issues most frequently raised by registrants are the treatment of family members, and roles and responsibilities in the dental office.

• CDRAF

CDRAF representatives for BC are the CDSBC President and Registrar. The next annual CDRAF Board meeting is on October 20, 2011 in Quebec City.

The CDRAF is in the process of forming a Botox and filler working group to look at developing similar guidelines across the country for these treatment modalities. As only nine out of ten provinces are participating, this is being done as a collaborative effort, not as a “national initiative.”

The Registrar also gave the new Board members background information on the government-funded project for the Assessment of Internationally Trained General Dentists from Non-Accredited Dental Programs and how CDSBC has administered/coordinated the project. CDSBC administers the government’s funding on behalf of the CDRAF.

• Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) Schools

CDSBC continues to liaise with CDA schools and national bodies. A staff member attends program advisory committee meetings and speaks to graduating CDA students about CDSBC’s role and to explain the requirements for certification in BC.

• Staff/Space Update

The Registrar updated the Board on renovations required at College Place due to lack of space. The increased number of complaints requires additional staff for that department: a paralegal has been hired and a fourth part-time complaint investigator (dentist) will soon be hired.