Today, the Ontario Government announced that it is seeking feedback on proposed scope of practice changes for several regulated health professionals, including Registered Dental Hygienists. The proposed changes to the Scope of Practice for Dental Hygienists would permit RDHs to:
- Order X-rays,
- Be designated Radiation Protection Officers (RPO) under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act, which would allow independent RDHs to own and operate dental x-ray machines, and
- Prescribe and administer local anaesthetic by injection in the orofacial complex.
Provide your feedback
The Government has asked for comments on the following questions:
- Do you support dental hygienists ordering X-rays?
- Should there be restrictions on a dental hygienist ordering X-rays? If so, what are they?
- Do you support dental hygienists being designated as radiation protection officers?
- Do you support dental hygienists administering local anesthetic by injection? Should there be restrictions, and if so, what are they?
- Do you have any additional feedback to provide?
You may provide your feedback via the Ontario Regulatory Registry. Please click “Comment on this proposal” and then “Submit as a guest” at the bottom of the page. You can enter your answers to the questions above in the comment box or upload a Word or PDF document with your comments. Feedback is due by Monday, November 3, 2025.
Next steps
The Government is not making any specific legislative or regulatory changes at this time and is only consulting on the proposals outlined above. Once the consultation period has ended, the Government will review the feedback and decide whether to implement some or all the proposed changes. If the Government proceeds with these changes, they will require updates to various legislation and regulations.
CDHO is pleased to support efforts that improve access to oral health care for Ontarians, and that allow RDHs to practise more fully within their Scope of Practice and expertise. We will continue to keep you updated on this process.