Common Legal Considerations for Dental Hygienists

Professional Corporations & Practice Structure

Registered Dental Hygienists in Ontario can practise through a professional corporation where the applicable requirements are met. The corporation must obtain a Certificate of Authorization from CDHO. CDHO also imposes requirements concerning ownership, directors, shareholders, corporate activities, and registration status.
 

Legal considerations may include:

• Dental hygiene professional corporation incorporations

• Certificates of Authorization

• Corporate organization and governance

• Shareholder agreements

• Partnership arrangements

• Business ownership structures

• Corporate reorganizations

• Succession planning

• Practice purchases and sales
   

Practitioner, Employment & Contractor Relationships

Dental hygiene practices may involve Registered Dental Hygienists, administrative employees, other healthcare professionals, and independent contractors.
 

Clear agreements can address:

• Compensation arrangements

• Roles and responsibilities

• Scope of services

• Scheduling expectations

• Use of clinic facilities and equipment

• Billing and collection arrangements

• Confidentiality obligations

• Insurance requirements

• Restrictive covenants

• Termination provisions

• Client transition procedures
   

Client Documentation & Privacy

Dental hygiene practices collect and maintain sensitive personal health information relating to assessments, treatment, medical and dental histories, referrals, and ongoing client care.
 

CDHO emphasizes that client records must be maintained securely and confidentially and recognizes privacy and security as fundamental aspects of practice management.
 

Legal documentation may include:

• Informed consent documentation

• Client intake forms

• Privacy policies

• Fee and payment policies

• Cancellation policies

• Website privacy policies

• Website terms and conditions

• Internal practice policies

• Record retention policies

• Client communication policies
  
   

Clinic Space, Equipment & Supplier Arrangements

Independent dental hygiene practices may rely on specialized clinical equipment, supplies, technology, and third party service providers.

Clear commercial agreements can help establish expectations concerning payment, maintenance, warranties, responsibilities, service levels, and termination.
 

Legal support may include:

• Equipment purchase agreements

• Equipment lease agreements

• Supplier agreements

• Service and maintenance agreements

• Vendor agreements

• Laboratory agreements

• Technology agreements

• Commercial contract review and negotiation
   

Practice Space & Business Operations

The legal arrangements governing your clinic space and day to day business operations should reflect how your practice actually functions.
 

Legal support may include:

• Commercial lease review and negotiation

• Clinic sublease agreements

• Space sharing agreements

• Cost sharing arrangements

• Administrative service agreements

• Management agreements

• Equipment sharing arrangements

• Vendor and supplier contracts
   

Relationships With Dentists & Other Healthcare Professionals

Independent dental hygiene practices may work alongside or establish referral and service relationships with dentists, denturists, physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals.
 

Clear agreements can help define:

• Professional relationships

• Use of shared clinic space

• Administrative responsibilities

• Shared resources

• Client information responsibilities

• Privacy and confidentiality obligations

• Billing arrangements

• Equipment use

• Referral related processes

• Departure and termination procedures
   

Practice Policies & Professional Obligations

Running a dental hygiene business requires attention to both commercial considerations and professional standards.
 

CDHO's Standards of Practice address matters such as maintaining appropriate business practices, transparent billing, client records, communication with other healthcare professionals, and ensuring that services are delivered in an appropriate practice environment.
 

Legal support can help ensure that contracts and internal business documentation are structured with these professional obligations in mind.
 

Practice Growth & Long Term Planning

Whether you are opening your first independent practice, incorporating, bringing on another dental hygienist, purchasing an existing practice, moving into a larger clinic, or expanding your services, proactive legal planning can help ensure that your corporate structure and agreements continue to support the practice as it grows.

How We Support Dental Hygienists