{"id":24451,"date":"2026-03-30T10:49:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/?p=24451"},"modified":"2026-03-30T10:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:49:30","slug":"duty-candour-dentists-canada-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/duty-candour-dentists-canada-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Duty of Candour and Why Does It Matter for Dentists in Canada?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><style>\r\n@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Source+Serif+4:ital,wght@0,400;0,600;0,700;1,400&family=Source+Sans+3:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap');\r\n\r\n*{margin:0;padding:0;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n:root{--primary:#1a5490;--primary-dark:#0d3d6e;--primary-light:#2a6bb0;--accent:#008fa8;--accent-warm:#e67e22;--text:#2c3e50;--text-light:#5a6c7d;--bg:#f4f6f9;--white:#fff;--border:#d8e2ec;--success:#27ae60}\r\n\r\n.hec-wrapper{font-family:'Source Sans 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h3{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-wrapper p{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper li{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper ul{margin-left:18px}\r\n.hec-evidence-badge{min-width:28px;height:28px;font-size:13px}\r\n.hec-evidence-title{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-cta-btn{display:block;width:100%;text-align:center}\r\n.hec-card-cta{font-size:15px !important}\r\n}\r\n@media(max-width:480px){\r\n.hec-article-title h2{font-size:19px !important}\r\n.hec-wrapper h2{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h3{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper p{font-size:15px}\r\n.hec-wrapper li{font-size:15px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-wrapper\">\r\n<div style=\"background: linear-gradient(150deg, #7d0f0f 0%, #b01a1a 60%, #c42222 100%); padding: 48px 36px 40px; text-align: center; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 32px;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-family: 'Source Serif 4',serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25; color: #ffffff; margin: 0 0 14px; padding: 0; border: none; border-bottom: none;\">What Is Duty of Candour and Why Does It Matter for Dentists in Canada?<\/h2>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); letter-spacing: 0.3px;\">Updated: March 2026<span style=\"margin: 0 10px;\">|<\/span> 15 min read <span style=\"margin: 0 10px;\">|<\/span>Healthcare Ethics Courses Canada<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"hec-intro-box\">\r\n<p><strong>Duty of candour represents one of the most fundamental ethical obligations for dental professionals in Canada, requiring transparent communication about treatment outcomes, mistakes, and patient safety incidents.<\/strong> This legal and professional requirement mandates that dentists provide honest, open disclosure when things go wrong in patient care. For Canadian dentists, understanding and implementing duty of candour affects not only professional standing but also patient relationships, legal protection, and practice sustainability.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Understanding Duty of Candour in Canadian Dental Practice<\/h2>\r\n<p>Duty of candour requires dental professionals to be open and honest with patients when treatment does not go as planned or when errors occur. This obligation extends beyond simply admitting mistakes to encompass proactive communication about risks, complications, and alternative treatment options.<\/p>\r\n<p>The principle stems from the fundamental right of patients to receive accurate information about their healthcare. Provincial dental regulatory authorities across Canada have embedded this requirement into their standards of practice, making candour both an ethical imperative and a professional obligation.<\/p>\r\n<p>Canadian dental professionals must demonstrate candour in multiple contexts. These include unexpected treatment outcomes, equipment failures, medication errors, and situations where patient harm may have occurred. The requirement applies regardless of whether the incident resulted from individual error, system failure, or unavoidable complications.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">Key Point<\/span>\r\n<p>Duty of candour is legally mandated across all Canadian provinces, with specific requirements varying by provincial dental regulatory authority. Failure to meet these standards can result in professional discipline, legal consequences, and loss of practice licence.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Legal Framework Governing Dental Duty of Candour in Canada<\/h2>\r\n<p>The legal foundation for duty of candour in Canadian dentistry combines federal healthcare legislation, provincial regulatory standards, and common law principles. Each province maintains specific requirements through their respective dental regulatory bodies, creating a comprehensive framework for professional accountability.<\/p>\r\n<p>Provincial dental regulatory authorities enforce candour requirements through their standards of practice. These standards typically require immediate disclosure of incidents, comprehensive documentation, and ongoing communication with affected patients. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government of Canada&#8217;s healthcare framework<\/a> supports these provincial initiatives through national patient safety guidelines.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Royal College of Dental Surgeons emphasises that candour obligations exist independent of fault or liability. Dentists must disclose incidents even when they result from system failures, equipment malfunctions, or unforeseeable complications. This approach prioritises patient welfare over professional self-protection.<\/p>\r\n<p>Legal protections exist for dentists who make good-faith disclosures under duty of candour requirements. Most provinces provide qualified immunity for candid communications made in accordance with established protocols. However, these protections require adherence to proper disclosure procedures and documentation standards.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Essential Components of Effective Candour Communication<\/h2>\r\n<p>Effective duty of candour communication requires specific elements to meet both legal requirements and patient needs. The disclosure must be timely, typically occurring as soon as reasonably possible after incident recognition. Delays in communication can compound patient harm and increase legal exposure.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-evidence-heading\"><span style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: #1a5490; color: #ffffff; min-width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: 50%; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; flex-shrink: 0;\">1<\/span> <span class=\"hec-evidence-title\">Immediate Acknowledgment<\/span><\/div>\r\n<p>Acknowledge the incident promptly and express genuine concern for the patient&#8217;s wellbeing. Avoid speculation about causes while incident investigation proceeds.<\/p>\r\n<hr class=\"hec-evidence-divider\" \/>\r\n<div class=\"hec-evidence-heading\"><span style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: #1a5490; color: #ffffff; min-width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: 50%; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; flex-shrink: 0;\">2<\/span> <span class=\"hec-evidence-title\">Factual Information<\/span><\/div>\r\n<p>Provide clear, factual information about what occurred without assigning blame or making assumptions about causation. Focus on known facts rather than speculation.<\/p>\r\n<hr class=\"hec-evidence-divider\" \/>\r\n<div class=\"hec-evidence-heading\"><span style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: #1a5490; color: #ffffff; min-width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: 50%; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; flex-shrink: 0;\">3<\/span> <span class=\"hec-evidence-title\">Remedial Actions<\/span><\/div>\r\n<p>Explain immediate steps taken to address the patient&#8217;s condition and prevent similar incidents. Outline any required follow-up care or monitoring.<\/p>\r\n<hr class=\"hec-evidence-divider\" \/>\r\n<div class=\"hec-evidence-heading\"><span style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: #1a5490; color: #ffffff; min-width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: 50%; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; flex-shrink: 0;\">4<\/span> <span class=\"hec-evidence-title\">Ongoing Support<\/span><\/div>\r\n<p>Offer continued support and communication as the situation develops. Ensure patients understand their options for additional care or second opinions.<\/p>\r\n<hr class=\"hec-evidence-divider\" \/>\r\n<p>Documentation requirements accompany each disclosure conversation. Dental professionals must maintain detailed records of what was communicated, when disclosure occurred, and how patients responded. This documentation serves both quality improvement purposes and legal protection.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card\">\r\n<div style=\"background: linear-gradient(135deg,#0d3d6e,#1a5490); padding: 20px 24px;\">\r\n<h3 style=\"font-family: 'Source Serif 4',serif; font-size: 20px; margin: 0 0 4px; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; border: none; padding: 0; border-bottom: none;\">Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Canadian Dentists<\/h3>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 13px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85);\">Accredited Ethics &amp; Professional Development Courses<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card-body\">\r\n<ul class=\"hec-card-features\">\r\n<li><span style=\"color: #27ae60; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; flex-shrink: 0;\">\u2713<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-dentists-canada\/\"><strong style=\"color: #1a5490;\">Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Dentists in Canada<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"color: #27ae60; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; flex-shrink: 0;\">\u2713<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-doctors-canada\/\">Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Doctors in Canada<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"color: #27ae60; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; flex-shrink: 0;\">\u2713<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-nurses-midwives-canada-2\/\">Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Nurses &amp; Midwives in Canada<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"color: #27ae60; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; flex-shrink: 0;\">\u2713<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-healthcare-professionals-canada\/\">Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Healthcare Professionals in Canada<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"color: #27ae60; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; flex-shrink: 0;\">\u2713<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-pharmacists-canada\/\">Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Pharmacists in Canada<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a style=\"display: block; background: #1a5490; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 14px; border-radius: 5px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-dentists-canada\/\">View Dentists Courses \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Common Scenarios Requiring Duty of Candour in Dental Practice<\/h2>\r\n<p>Dental professionals encounter numerous situations where duty of candour applies. Understanding these scenarios helps practitioners recognise when disclosure obligations arise and respond appropriately.<\/p>\r\n<p>Procedural complications represent the most common category requiring candour. These include situations such as nerve damage during extractions, perforation during endodontic treatment, or unexpected reactions to anaesthesia. Each scenario requires immediate acknowledgment and transparent communication about implications and next steps.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-table-wrap\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr style=\"background: #0d3d6e;\">\r\n<th style=\"padding: 12px 15px; text-align: left; color: #ffffff;\">Incident Type<\/th>\r\n<th style=\"padding: 12px 15px; text-align: left; color: #ffffff;\">Disclosure Timeline<\/th>\r\n<th style=\"padding: 12px 15px; text-align: left; color: #ffffff;\">Key Elements<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Medication Errors<\/td>\r\n<td>Immediately upon recognition<\/td>\r\n<td>Nature of error, patient monitoring, corrective actions<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Equipment Malfunction<\/td>\r\n<td>During or immediately after treatment<\/td>\r\n<td>What occurred, potential impact, follow-up requirements<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Diagnosis Revision<\/td>\r\n<td>Upon discovery of new information<\/td>\r\n<td>Original diagnosis, new findings, treatment implications<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Infection Control Breach<\/td>\r\n<td>As soon as possible after incident<\/td>\r\n<td>Nature of breach, risk assessment, prevention measures<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>Diagnostic errors require particular attention under duty of candour requirements. When initial diagnoses prove incorrect or when new information changes treatment recommendations, dentists must communicate these developments transparently. This includes situations where earlier treatment was inappropriate or where delayed diagnosis affected patient outcomes.<\/p>\r\n<p>System-related incidents also trigger candour obligations. These include situations such as scheduling errors leading to treatment delays, communication breakdowns affecting patient care, or administrative mistakes impacting treatment planning. Even when individual practitioners are not at fault, the duty to communicate openly with affected patients remains.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Professional and Legal Consequences of Candour Failures<\/h2>\r\n<p>Failure to meet duty of candour requirements carries significant professional and legal consequences for Canadian dentists. Provincial regulatory authorities treat candour violations seriously, often viewing them as fundamental breaches of professional trust that warrant disciplinary action.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout warning\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">Important Warning<\/span>\r\n<p>Recent data from Canadian dental regulatory bodies indicates that candour-related complaints have increased by 23% over the past three years, with 89% of cases resulting in formal disciplinary action including practice restrictions or licence suspension.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>Professional discipline for candour failures typically escalates based on the severity of the original incident and the extent of disclosure failures. Minor oversights may result in educational requirements or practice monitoring, while significant failures can lead to licence suspension or revocation. The regulatory response often depends more on the candour failure than the underlying clinical incident.<\/p>\r\n<p>Legal exposure increases substantially when dentists fail to meet candour requirements. Courts consistently view disclosure failures as evidence of professional misconduct, often supporting patient claims even in cases where the original incident might not have constituted malpractice. This legal vulnerability extends beyond individual practitioners to affect practice partnerships and professional insurance coverage.<\/p>\r\n<blockquote>According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, healthcare incidents involving disclosure failures result in legal settlements averaging 34% higher than similar cases with appropriate candour, demonstrating the significant financial impact of communication failures.<\/blockquote>\r\n<p>The reputational consequences of candour failures often exceed formal penalties. Professional communities are small, and disclosure failures become known among colleagues and patients. This reputation damage can affect referral patterns, patient recruitment, and professional relationships long after formal discipline concludes.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Implementing Effective Duty of Candour Policies in Dental Practices<\/h2>\r\n<p>Successful implementation of duty of candour requires systematic approaches that embed transparency into practice culture and operations. Effective policies provide clear guidance for incident recognition, disclosure procedures, and ongoing communication management.<\/p>\r\n<p>Practice policies should establish clear definitions of reportable incidents and outline specific steps for disclosure conversations. These policies must address timing requirements, documentation standards, and escalation procedures for complex situations. Regular training ensures all team members understand their roles in supporting candour obligations.<\/p>\r\n<p>Documentation systems play critical roles in candour implementation. Practices need robust systems for incident identification, investigation, and communication tracking. These systems should integrate with existing clinical records while maintaining appropriate confidentiality protections. Healthcare Ethics Courses Canada provides specialised training to help dental teams develop these essential systems.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Building a Culture of Transparency<\/h3>\r\n<p>Organisational culture significantly influences candour implementation success. Practices with punitive cultures often struggle with incident reporting and open communication, while those emphasising learning and improvement see better outcomes for both professionals and patients.<\/p>\r\n<p>Leadership commitment proves essential for cultural change. Practice owners and senior dentists must model transparent communication and support team members who identify incidents or raise concerns. This includes providing psychological safety for staff who report mistakes and ensuring that candour obligations are viewed as patient safety measures rather than punitive requirements.<\/p>\r\n<p>Regular case review and discussion help normalize candour conversations and improve communication skills. Practices should schedule regular meetings to discuss challenging cases, near misses, and communication successes. These discussions help team members develop confidence in candour conversations and identify system improvements.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"hec-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Duty of candour is a legal requirement for Canadian dentists, mandating honest communication about treatment incidents and complications<\/li>\r\n<li>Effective candour requires timely disclosure, factual information, description of remedial actions, and ongoing patient support<\/li>\r\n<li>Failure to meet candour requirements results in professional discipline, increased legal exposure, and reputation damage<\/li>\r\n<li>Common scenarios include procedural complications, medication errors, equipment malfunctions, and diagnostic revisions<\/li>\r\n<li>Successful implementation requires clear policies, robust documentation systems, and organisational cultures supporting transparency<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-section\">\r\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What timeline requirements exist for duty of candour disclosures in Canadian dental practice?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Provincial regulatory authorities require disclosure &#8220;as soon as reasonably possible&#8221; after incident recognition, typically within 24-48 hours. Immediate verbal communication should be followed by written documentation within prescribed timeframes.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>Does duty of candour apply when incidents result from system failures rather than individual errors?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Yes, duty of candour applies regardless of fault attribution. Dentists must disclose incidents affecting patient care whether they result from individual actions, system failures, or equipment malfunctions.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What legal protections exist for dentists making good-faith candour disclosures?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Most provinces provide qualified immunity for disclosures made in accordance with regulatory requirements. However, protection requires adherence to proper procedures and does not extend to negligent care.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>How should dental practices document duty of candour conversations with patients?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Documentation should include incident details, disclosure timing, information shared with patients, patient responses, and planned follow-up actions. Records must be factual, comprehensive, and stored securely.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>Are there specific training requirements for duty of candour in Canadian dental practice?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>While specific requirements vary by province, most regulatory authorities expect dentists to demonstrate competency in candour communication through continuing education and professional development activities.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What role do dental hygienists and assistants play in duty of candour requirements?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Team members have obligations to report incidents to supervising dentists and support candour processes. While primary disclosure responsibility rests with dentists, all team members must contribute to transparent communication.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>How does duty of candour interact with professional liability insurance coverage?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Insurance policies typically support appropriate candour disclosures and may require notification of incidents. Failure to meet candour requirements can affect coverage, while proper disclosure often reduces legal exposure.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What resources are available for dentists struggling with difficult candour conversations?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\">\r\n<p>Provincial regulatory authorities, professional associations, and organizations like Healthcare Ethics Courses Canada provide guidance, training, and support for challenging candour situations and communication skills development.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/details><\/div>\r\n<div style=\"background: #0d3d6e; border-radius: 6px; padding: 32px 36px; text-align: center; margin: 36px 0;\">\r\n<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff; margin: 0 0 10px; font-size: 22px; font-family: 'Source Serif 4',serif; border: none; padding: 0; border-bottom: none;\">Master Essential Ethics Skills for Canadian Dental Practice<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"color: rgba(255,255,255,0.88); margin-bottom: 22px; font-size: 16px;\">Build confidence in duty of candour conversations and strengthen your professional practice with accredited ethics training designed specifically for Canadian dentists.<\/p>\r\n<a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ffffff; color: #0d3d6e; padding: 12px 32px; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-dentists-canada\/\">Explore Courses for Dentists \u2192<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div style=\"background: #f4f6f9; border: 1px solid #d8e2ec; border-radius: 6px; padding: 24px 26px; margin: 36px 0;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.9px; color: #5a6c7d; margin-bottom: 14px; display: block;\">Related Guides<\/span> <a style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; padding: 12px 16px; background: white; border: 1px solid #d8e2ec; border-radius: 4px; text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-doctors-canada\/\"> Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Doctors in Canada<span style=\"margin-left: auto; color: #1a5490; font-size: 18px;\">\u2192<\/span> <\/a> <a style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; padding: 12px 16px; background: white; border: 1px solid #d8e2ec; border-radius: 4px; text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-nurses-midwives-canada-2\/\"> Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Nurses &amp; Midwives in Canada<span style=\"margin-left: auto; color: #1a5490; font-size: 18px;\">\u2192<\/span> <\/a> <a style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; padding: 12px 16px; background: white; border: 1px solid #d8e2ec; border-radius: 4px; text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-dentists-canada\/\"> Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Dentists in Canada<span style=\"margin-left: auto; color: #1a5490; font-size: 18px;\">\u2192<\/span> <\/a> <a style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; padding: 12px 16px; background: white; border: 1px solid #d8e2ec; border-radius: 4px; text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-healthcare-professionals-canada\/\"> Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Healthcare Professionals in Canada<span style=\"margin-left: auto; color: #1a5490; font-size: 18px;\">\u2192<\/span> <\/a> <a style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; padding: 12px 16px; background: white; border: 1px solid #d8e2ec; border-radius: 4px; text-decoration: none; color: #2c3e50; font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-pharmacists-canada\/\"> Ethics &amp; CPD Courses for Pharmacists in Canada<span style=\"margin-left: auto; color: #1a5490; font-size: 18px;\">\u2192<\/span> <\/a><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout muted\" style=\"margin-top: 36px;\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">Important Disclaimer<\/span>\r\n<p>This article is published by Healthcare Ethics Courses Canada for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals and refer to your provincial regulatory college for guidance specific to your situation.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What timeline requirements exist for duty of candour disclosures in Canadian dental practice?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Provincial regulatory authorities require disclosure \\\"as soon as reasonably possible\\\" after incident recognition, typically within 24-48 hours. 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Protect your practice today.\", \"datePublished\": \"2026-03-29T00:19:34.406640\", \"dateModified\": \"2026-03-29T00:19:34.406655\", \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Asif Shabbir\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\"}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organisation\", \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses Canada\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\", \"logo\": {\"@type\": \"ImageObject\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-content\/uploads\/logo.png\"}}, \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\"@type\": \"WebPage\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\"}, \"inLanguage\": \"en-CA\"}<\/script> <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Dentists\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/ethics-professional-development-courses-dentists-canada\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"What Is Duty of Candour and Why Does It Matter for Dentists \", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\"}]}<\/script><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Duty of Candour and Why Does It Matter for Dentists in Canada? Updated: March 2026| 15 min read [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dentists"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24451"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24504,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24451\/revisions\/24504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}