RCDSO Dentist Complaints in Ontario: What Dentists Should Know

Understanding the RCDSO complaints process

What's distinctive about the RCDSO complaints process

• Largest dental regulator in Canada (~11,000 dentists)
• Risk-based ICRC triage model prioritizes complaints by patient safety
• Public can apply 'as of right' for a hearing before the Discipline Committee
• Mandatory reporting by dentists, facilities, and employers
• Seven statutory committees mandated by the RHPA Health Professions Procedural Code

What triggers complaints against dentists in Ontario

How a RCDSO complaint typically moves

1. 1

   Complaint received and acknowledged

   The regulator receives the written complaint, assigns a file number, and sends a written acknowledgement to the complainant and the dentist.

2. 2

   Notice to the dentist

   You are sent the complaint and supporting materials, and invited to provide a written response. The regulator's complaints staff is typically your point of contact.

3. 3

   Investigation

   An investigator gathers records, may interview witnesses, and asks targeted questions. You have a duty to cooperate but you are entitled to counsel.

4. 4

   Written response from the dentist

   You submit a written response addressing each allegation with supporting documentation. This is usually the single most important document on the file.

5. 5

   Review by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC)

   The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) reviews the file on the record. It can take no action, issue advice or a caution, accept an undertaking, require remediation, or refer the matter forward.

6. 6

   Possible referral to the Discipline Committee

   Serious matters or unresolved factual disputes may be referred to the Discipline Committee for a formal hearing on the merits.

Possible outcomes

Practical tips for dentists in Ontario

• Read the regulator's notice carefully. Your deadline, the scope of the allegations, and the specific information requested are spelled out in it.
• Notify your professional liability insurer the same day you receive the complaint — coverage typically includes legal representation.
• Preserve all relevant records immediately: clinical notes, billing data, schedules, and any text or email communications with the patient or colleagues.
• Do not contact the complainant directly. Communicate only through the regulator or through counsel.
• Be calm, factual, and chronological in your written response. The committee reviews the file on the record; the quality of that document drives the outcome.