Dietitians Are Regulated Health Professionals. 5 Reasons Why That Matters for Your Family

Did you know that dietitians are a regulated health profession in Ontario? The College of Dietitians of Ontario works for you, the public, to make sure that the nutrition care you get from a dietitian is safe.

High Standards for Academic and Practical Training

Dietitians are a regulated health profession in Ontario. The College of Dietitians of Ontario is the regulatory body for dietitians. This means the College establishes and enforces standards for entry-to-practice, professional practice, ethics, professional conduct and for continuing competence. A high standard for academic and practical training must be achieved in order to practice as a Registered Dietitian in Ontario.

Collaboration with clients, caregivers, and other health professionals is central to dietetic practice whether the RD works in a private practice or as a member of a health care team with health professionals such as medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and social workers. So, when you visit a Registered Dietitian for nutrition advice, you can expect high quality care.

Respectful Relationships

Dietitians are trained to maintain respectful and professional relationships with their clients. As a client, you have a right to clear, complete information. You also have the right to be involved in all decisions about your treatment, including consenting to or refusing treatment. The dietitian-client relationship is based on mutual trust and client-centred care. Dietitians put their clients first.

Accountability

While anyone can legally provide nutrition advice in Ontario, Registered Dietitians are accountable to the College of Dietitians of Ontario to provide safe nutrition advice. Each dietitian must participate in the College’s Quality Assurance Program to ensure that they continue to practice safely and competently for their whole career.

A Formal Complaints Process is Available for the Public

The College of Dietitians of Ontario has a formal complaints process in place for anyone who has a concern or complaint about the services they have received from a dietitian. It has the responsibility and power to investigate all complaints. As a client and a member of the public, you may call the College any time for information about how to launch a complaint. For more information see www.collegeofdietitians.org

Dietitian is a Protected Professional Title

In Ontario, only members of the College of Dietitians of Ontario are authorized to call themselves a “dietitian”, “Registered. Dietitian”, or an “RD”. Anyone who is not a member of the College is prohibited from using these titles.

The best way to check that your nutrition provider is a qualified Registered Dietitian is to consult the Register of Dietitians. The Register shows whether a person is allowed to practice as a dietitian in Ontario. It also contains information about whether there are restrictions on a dietitian’s practice and gives important details about a dietitian’s registration history, including any disciplinary action.  Go the www.mydietitian.ca and click on Register of Dietitians  to verify that your dietitian is registered to practice in Ontario.

Click here to view important information about RDs on the Register of Dietitians