January 22, 2002

Honourable Tony Clement, MPP
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
10th Floor - 80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2C4

Dear Minister Clement:

Re:      Dental Hygienist Support to Residents of Long Term Care Facilities

OANHSS is aware of a proposed new regulation and standard of practice by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario that you have been asked to approve.  Our understanding is that the RCDSO regulation and associated standard of practice would make it virtually impossible for services currently provided by dental hygienists to seniors at home and in long-term care facilities to continue.

The regulation, as we understand it, would require that each resident be, or become, a patient of a dentist and the dentist would then designate a dental hygienist (probably the dentist's employee) to perform the dental hygiene services. Under the standard of practice, as we understand it, even the most basic of oral hygiene services, such as teeth flossing, now provided by dental hygienists would require a dentist's authorization.

If the RCDSO regulation and standard of practice come into force and effect the only recourse for long-term care facilities would be to contract with a dentist who would be willing to visit patients regularly and provide the necessary order to a dental hygienist.  Assuming that such a dentist exists, and it is our members experience that there are very few who do, the additional cost for our facilities and our residents would be prohibitive.  The more likely impact of the RCDSO regulation will be to deprive our residents of needed oral care.

For seniors, regular, routine oral healthcare to maintain their teeth in good working order is critical to their diet, their appearance and self-esteem and to their overall health and well-being.

Accordingly, I am writing to urge that you not support the RCDSO regulation and standard of practice in its current form.

Yours sincerely,


Donna A. Rubin
Chief Executive Officer

cc:        Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario

C

ontact OANHSS 

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OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
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