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In May 2023, BCCOHP laid the foundation for the development of new standards by formalizing a development process. This process, overseen by the Standards and Guidance Committee (S&G Committee), ensures that each new standard is thoughtfully considered and developed with the necessary expertise.
The S&G Committee plays a critical role in this process by determining when a standard is needed, identifying appropriate developers*, and overseeing the consultation and approval process.
*Standards and guidance are developed by subject matter experts determined and approved by the S&G Committee. This could be an internal or external working group or consultant(s) with the required and relevant expertise to develop the standards with staff support.
The standards development process includes meaningful consultation with oral health professionals, the public and other audiences. Consultation is a mandatory step before any standards are finalized and published.
To guide this work, the S&G Committee approved a standards framework. This is a plan for how BCCOHP develops and structures standards. It consists of two types of standards:
Background
Professional standards are the minimum requirements for oral health professionals ethical and professional performance, conduct and behaviour.
Aligned with the framework, the professional standards are contained in a single document with the following components:
Drafters
In July 2023, the S&G Committee approved an internal staff working group to draft the professional standards with the support of subject matter experts.
Status
Consultation on the draft Professional Standards for the Oral Health Team closed on January 20, 2025. Feedback is currently being compiled and reviewed.
Past engagements
Background
Sedation and general anesthesia (GA) are a high–risk aspect of oral health care. As a result, the S&G Committee determined that additional practice standards for the provision of sedation and GA are required. The existing sedation and GA standards are in place until the new practice standards are developed, and the current standards will be considered in the development of the new standards.
Drafters
In March 2024, the S&G Committee and Board approved a working group of subject matter experts to draft the Sedation and GA Practice Standards. The working group is made up of individuals with the required knowledge and expertise to develop the standards, including regulatory experience. If there are topics that require additional expertise, the working group will consult with other subject matter experts as required.
Status
The Sedation and GA Working Group is currently drafting the practice standards.
Past engagements
We are committed to consulting with our audiences meaningfully. Future engagement and consultation opportunities around standards will appear here. In the meantime, sign up for our oral health professionals advisory panel to stay in the loop on future engagement opportunities.
Renée Mok, Senior Policy and Projects Manager, renee.mok@oralhealthbc.ca
Note: This project is overseen by the Standards and Guidance Committee who approved a project charter to develop standards for BCCOHP in early 2023.
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