How to open a dental clinic in Ontario - compliance, staffing, operations
Opening a dental clinic in Ontario is two jobs at once: clinical setup and regulatory setup. This is the operating list Prime DMS uses with new owners.
Regulatory & licensing
RCDSO registration for dentists, CDHO licensing for hygienists, Public Health Ontario IPAC requirements, Ministry of Labour registration, and AODA compliance - each has its own timeline.
Clinic build & equipment
Layout has to support IPAC workflow before you order chairs. Dirty-to-clean directional flow in sterilization, dedicated PPE areas, and proper waterline management all start at design.
Initial staffing
Designated IPAC officer, registered hygienists, qualified assistants, and front-desk support - each role needs RCDSO/CDHO verification, IPAC training confirmation, and a signed contract.
Day-one documentation
IPAC manual, sterilization protocols, employment contracts, staff handbook, health & safety policy, AODA plan, and patient privacy policy - all in place before you see your first patient.
First 90 days
Mock inspections, training refreshers, and process review every 30 days. The new-clinic compliance posture is set in the first quarter and hard to change later.
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