Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) is a requirement for practising as a dental technologist in Ontario and is regulated in:

• Section 13.1 of the Health Professions Procedural Code (the “Code”), Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991;
• Section 7 of the Registration Regulation (O. Reg 874/93) of the Dental Technology Act, 1991; and
• Section 20 of the College’s By-Laws.

PLI provides coverage for dental technologists with respect to claims that may arise from the practice of dental technology and protects the public should an issue arise.

As per section 20 of the College’s By-laws:

1. Every Registrant who holds a certificate of registration in the General Class shall maintain PLI to indemnify the Registrant for all errors and omissions that may occur while practicing dental technology provided through a policy of insurance with the following characteristics:
   1. the Registrant is specifically named as an insured and for all settings in which the Registrant practices;
   2. the College is notified by the insurer if the policy is cancelled or the terms are amended before the expiration date;
   3. the insurer is licensed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario;
   4. a minimum of $1,000,000 per claim, occurrence or loss and an annual aggregate limit of not less than $1,000,000;
   5. there is no amount as a deductible; and,
   6. where the insurance policy is of a “claims made” form, the coverage must include an extended reporting period of at least two (2) years after the termination of the insurance policy.
2. An Inactive Registrant who has practiced in Ontario within the previous two (2) years must carry professional liability run off coverage (sometimes called enduring or tail coverage) for a minimum of two (2) years since the Member last practiced in Ontario provide by an insurer licensed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada or a body outside of Ontario that the Registrar considers substantially equivalent to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

A Registrant must provide proof that they maintain PLI in the amount and in the form required by the College’s By-laws within fourteen (14) days of receiving a request from the Registrar or an employee of the College.

Practicing Without Professional Liability Insurance

All Registrants who engage in the practice of dental technology without PLI will be found by a panel of the Discipline Committee to have committed an act of professional misconduct as directed by section 13.3(3) of the Code. When a Registrant is found to have committed an act of professional misconduct, a panel of the Discipline Committee may make orders which can include revoking or suspending a Registrant’s certificate of registration, imposing terms, conditions and limitations on the Member’s certificate of registration and/or requiring a Registrant to pay a fine.

Failing to carry PLI is a serious violation that not only exposes a Registrant to professional liability but also affects the public confidence in our profession.