Information on Examinations for Denturists in Ontario This excerpt from the book "Uppers and Downers" covers the subject of examinations to determine qualifications for Denturists on Ontario, Canada. U.S. visitors to this site wishing to give support to U.S. Denturists can contact this site: www.usdenturist.com.

"I am disturbed, firstly, by the comments of those people who met with you Monday afternoon, which information was communicated to me earlier today. They alleged that you had disclosed the following:

1.) That the Ontario Dental Association had indicated to you that they were seriously considering boycotting examinations that would lead to the licensure of persons who would be permitted to provide removable dentures without the supervision of a Dentist;

2.) That no Dentists would sign certificates of oral health for persons wishing to use the services of a Denturist or Denture Therapist; and

3.) That you "will force the Ontario Dental Association to conduct such a series of examinations for Denturists".

I have no way of knowing whether or not any of the above statements are true, although the first and second stated concerns attributed to you do have a ring of authenticity about them. In point of fact, during our informal meeting on Friday, March 15, you indicated similar concerns when you told me that the Ontario Dental Association might refuse to conduct examinations to determine the qualification of persons who might be permitted to practice independent of their supervision. At that time, I informed you that if the Ontario Dental Association took this position, the Denturist Society of Ontario would have no difficulty in providing your Ministry with the names of 10 or 15 fully qualified Dentists registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons who would be eager and willing to take on the responsibility of examining Denturists as to their competence. The Ontario Dental Association should have no objection to their serving as examiners. Another alternative you might consider is one that we proposed several months ago; ie, that the names of several of our members be submitted to you for the purpose of having them examined as to their capabilities to serve as examiners, prior to any full scale examinations for the remainder of the members of this Society. These men, who would consent to sit such examination, could be appointed (provided they are successful, of course) to serve as examiners along with an equal number of dentists for any upcoming tests your Ministry might propose be conducted prior to the issuance of licenses to Denturists or Denture Therapists to provide denture services directly to the public. In connection with the alleged threat of the Ontario Dental Association that all Dentists will refuse to sign certificates of oral health, I do not believe this to be true, since many Dentists are providing these certificates. However, I believe you already possess the the answer to this problem. You had suggested to me at our March 15 meeting that special courses could be provided every 10 or 15 weeks which would more adequately equip existing practitioners to perform more satisfactorily. You also indicated that if your Ministry decided on such a program, attendance at these special courses would be mandatory. Speaking for the Denturist Society, I know that all Denturists would welcome such an opportunity, since it has been the policy of this Society to provide ongoing educational and upgrading seminars for our members. In conjunction with the foregoing, I am pleased to inform you that this Society is presently engaged in a very extensive program to inform, instruct, examine, and otherwise update all members. Our most recent efforts in this area occured just last weekend, when the Society engaged examiners and provided facilities for the entire weekend at the Constellation Hotel, during which time our members underwent some 16 hours of extensive examinations (written and oral) and very detailed instruction in oral and head anatomy. Attendance at these examination and instruction periods was made mandatory for all members; any member who could not attend was obliged to provide reasons in writing for his inability to do so. The enclosed correspondence is one indication of the concern and cooperation of our members in response to the programs sponsored by this Society.

In connection with the third allegation that you "will force the Ontario Dental Association to conduct future examinations", I believe we have proposed several suitable alternatives which make any such extraordinary action on your part not only unnecessary but extremely undesirable. In the final analysis, Minister, Denturists are doing everything in their power to meet any reasonable standards your Ministry may consider necessary to protect the public interest."

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