Ontario’s Health Minister, Christine Elliott, has pledged to address the issue of a “double standard” in dental care for hygienists. This comes after a recent report revealed that dental hygienists in the province are facing barriers in providing certain services, despite being trained and qualified to do so.
The report, released by the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association (ODHA), highlighted the discrepancy between the services that dental hygienists are trained to provide and the services they are allowed to perform under current regulations. This includes procedures such as administering local anesthesia and placing temporary fillings, which are currently only permitted to be done by dentists.
In response to the report, Minister Elliott stated that she is committed to working with the ODHA and other stakeholders to address this issue. She acknowledged the important role that dental hygienists play in promoting oral health and ensuring access to care for Ontarians.
The ODHA has been advocating for changes to the regulations for several years, arguing that allowing dental hygienists to perform these additional services would not only improve access to care, but also reduce wait times and costs for patients. They also point out that dental hygienists are already trained and licensed to perform these procedures in other provinces and countries.
The issue of a “double standard” in dental care for hygienists is not a new one. In 2017, the Ontario government passed legislation allowing dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia, but this change has yet to be implemented due to delays in the regulatory process.
The ODHA is hopeful that Minister Elliott’s commitment to addressing this issue will lead to concrete changes in the near future. They believe that allowing dental hygienists to provide a wider range of services will not only benefit patients, but also help to alleviate the strain on the dental care system.
In the meantime, the ODHA is urging the government to take immediate action to allow dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia and place temporary fillings, as these are essential services that can greatly improve the oral health of Ontarians.
Minister Elliott’s pledge to address the “double standard” in dental care for hygienists is a step in the right direction. It is now up to the government to follow through on this commitment and make the necessary changes to improve access to care for all Ontarians.
