Competition Bureau Launches Study Into Dentistry Profession

Ottawa, March 7, 2008 — A new national study into the self-regulated profession of dentistry has been launched, the Competition Bureau announced today. The study will look at the methods and regulating practices used in the industry and analyse their potential economic impact to ensure the system of regulation in place delivers the maximum possible benefits of competition to consumers.

The study follows in the footsteps of a Competition Bureau report released in December 2007, Self-Regulated Professions: Balancing Competition and Regulation, which looked at accountants, lawyers, optometrists, pharmacists and real estate agents. The study found that rules that limit advertising, set prices for services and restrict who can offer professional services may go further than necessary to protect the public interest, and restrict competition.

With its study on dentistry, the Bureau hopes to identify restrictions that may hamper competition, while also highlighting regulatory instruments or practices that may promote more effective competition and can serve as a standard for other professions.

Both health and self-regulating professions are priority areas for the Bureau. The Bureau chose to study dentists given this industry's importance to Canadians, both in terms of economic size and personal well-being. In 2006, Canadians spent $9.94 billion in dental services, of which approximately 95 per cent were private sector expenditures. The Bureau's work in this area will build on its study of self-regulated professions, as well as its advocacy efforts in the dental hygiene industry.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

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