CT Scanners

All submissions to the FIP department must be sent via email for processing. We do not accept applications or submissions by mail or facsimile. Cheques and money orders are accepted by mail. Items emailed to FIP must be:

PDF format
Clear (not faded)
Legible
Complete (with pertinent information cut off)
Unaltered

CT related items should be emailed to ctscanners@rcdso.org.

Applying for a Facility Permit

Every dental facility that intends to install and operate a dental CT scanner must have a facility permit issued by the College and must adhere to our Standard of Practice. The College inspects facilities to ensure compliance with the Standard.

The Standard sets out two types of dental CT scanners, based on the size of the image or “field of view” generated and therefore there are two types of facility permits:

Dentoalveolar CT scanner with a field of view of 8 centimetres or less.
Craniofacial CT scanner with a field of view of over 8 centimetres.

A facility permit shall only be issued to a dentist who practices at the dental facility for which the permit is issued and has the appropriate Member’s Authorization for the type of dental CT scanner to be installed and operated.

An inspection by the College must take place before a dental CT scanner facility permit is issued. A facility is eligible for inspection after completing the following steps:

Submit the facility permit application form and fee to the College.
Submit a copy of the application approval [letter format] to the X-Ray Inspection Service (XRIS) as part of the Ministry application form to install and operate a dental CT scanner to receive the requisite letter of approval [including schematic plan] and letter of designation as issued by the Ministry.

Gather other required information, as outlined by the College, and notify us when you have met the requirements and are ready for an inspection so that we can arrange one. The facility inspector will review these documents at the time of inspection. Following an inspection, if the facility is found to be in compliance with the Standard a CT facility permit will be issued. This permit must be renewed on an annual basis to remain current.

Complete this application form to apply for a Facility Permit.

Applying for Authorization to prescribe, order, take, interpret and report CT scans

Any dentist who wishes to prescribe, order, take, interpret and report on CT scans must apply to the College to have their training reviewed and approved. This includes dentists who are specialists in oral and maxillofacial radiology and all dentists who practice in hospital dental departments.

There are two authorization types: dentoalveolar CT scans and craniofacial CT scans. A craniofacial CT scan authorization also authorizes dentoalveolar scans.

Dentoalveolar CT scans [Small field-of-view] – a field of view of 8 centimetres or less.
Craniofacial CT Scans [Large field-of-view] – a field of view greater than 8 centimetres.

For dentoalveolar scans, dentists must complete a course of at least two days duration that is:

affiliated with an accredited university
organized and taught by dentists certified in oral and maxillofacial radiology
has a post-course exam.

For craniofacial scans, dentists must complete a formal postgraduate program in oral and maxillofacial surgery, suitable for certification in the province of Ontario and complete a mentoring program with an oral and maxillofacial radiologist or qualified medical radiologist. The mentoring program must involve the interpreting and reporting of at least 50 craniofacial CT scans.

The authorization application process includes a provisional authorization stage. Provisional authorizations are valid for six months from the date of issuance and can be extended for an additional three months.

Dentists must meet the provisional authorization requirements to receive an annual member authorization:

Submit five CT scan records for review to the College,

Provided the records are complete and in compliance with the Standard of Practice, an annual authorization will be issued. This authorization must be renewed on an annual basis to remain current.

Authorized dentists can prescribe, order, take, interpret and report dental CT scans at any dental facility that holds a valid dental CT scanner facility permit as long as they have received on-site training in the safe operation of the dental CT scanner installed in that facility.

Authorizations are based upon the dentist’s education/training. However, they cannot exceed their authorization at any time and can only prescribe, order, take, interpret and report dental CT scans that are compatible with the permit type of the facility.

Complete this application form to apply for authorization

Questions?

Email: ctscanners@rcdso.org