In July we circulated proposed Bylaw changes for you to comment on. Thank you for reviewing them. We received ten comments, most supported the changes.
However, three registrants expressed concerns about the proposed change to allow someone other than a dental assistant to chair committees. The concerns all reflected the opinion that dental assistants have better knowledge about dental assisting practice than non-members and should therefore chair.
To address these concerns, we’ll provide some background on how Council selects a chair and on the roles of our committees.
Before appointing a committee member as Chairperson, Council considers the skills and knowledge a person will need to chair the committee. They appoint a Chairperson who can guide the committee through the work assigned by Council.
It’s important to note that the Chairperson works together with the other committee members to complete the committee’s work. Everyone on the committee contributes their knowledge, experience and expertise.
Also, with very few exceptions, committees do not make decisions. Committees do the in-depth work and then make recommendations to Council. Council then carefully considers the recommendations and they have sole authority to make a decision.
For those reasons, Council decided they would appoint a Chairperson from among the committee members and not limit that role to only dental assistants.
Council approved the Bylaw changes at their recent meeting.