The Order is governed by the Board of Directors composed of one President and 24 directors. Twenty directors are elected, and four are appointed by the Office des professions du Québec. The Board of Directors is responsible for the general administration of the Order's affairs and for the application of the provisions of the Professional Code and its corresponding regulations. The Board of Directors exercises all the rights, powers and prerogatives of the Order, except those of the members of the Order at the general meeting.

The Executive Committee is composed of five members elected from among the members of the Board of Directors: the President of the Order, the Vice-President, and three directors, including one director appointed by the Office des professions du Québec. The Executive Committee administers the day-to-day affairs of the Order, and may exercise all the powers it receives from the Board of Directors.

The Order holds an Annual General Meeting during which the President presents a report on activities during the current year. The members approve the financial statements and elect auditors to audit the books and accounts.

In furtherance of the core mission of the Order, the Professional Inspection Committee is established to protect the public. More specifically, the mandate of this Committee has been defined by the Board of Directors, in keeping with the relevant legislation, as follows:

• Defines the short-, medium- and long-term goals of professional inspection.
• Submits an inspection program and a method for selecting dentists and specialists to visit, and ensures that the inspections are carried out.
• Informs dentists of all problems noted during the inspection and invites them to correct such shortcomings, where appropriate.
• Sets priorities regarding the selection of offices to visit, taking account of the strategic objectives determined by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
• Assigns a code for the problems most frequently noted.
• Draws up a budget for the human and financial resources required to carry out its mandate.

The Disciplinary Council is responsible for hearing complaints against dentists submitted by the Syndic, the Assistant Syndic or by any other individual who suspects a violation of the Professional Code, the Dental Act, the Code of Ethics of Dentists or the regulations enacted under these laws.  The Disciplinary Council consists of a Chair, an attorney assigned by the government, and 31 dentists appointed by the Board of Directors. The Council sits in divisions of three members, i.e. the Chair and two dentists.

The Review Committee was created when the Professional Code was reformed in 1994. Upon request from individuals who previously asked that the Syndic hold an inquiry, the Committee issues an opinion concerning the Syndic or Assistant Syndic's decision not to file a complaint.

Within 90 days of the date it receives a request for an opinion, the Review Committee gives its opinion in writing after studying the record and the documents submitted by the Syndic or Assistant Syndic (Professional Code, section 123.4).

As per article 123.5, in its opinion, the Review Committee may:

• Decide that there is no cause to lodge a complaint.
• Suggest that the Syndic or Assistant or Corresponding Syndic complete the inquiry.
• Suggest that the Syndic refer the case to the Professional Inspection Committee.
• Decide that there is cause to lodge a complaint with the Disciplinary Council and suggest the name of an individual who may do so.

The Continuing Dental Education Committee is responsible for:

• Promoting skill maintenance and knowledge building among members of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec.
• Fostering members’ interest in pursuing their professional development.
• Helping dentists adapt their practice to changes in the field of dentistry.
• Facilitating continuing dental education for all ODQ members.
• Ensuring that quality of care is a component of all the courses offered.
• Ensuring that providers of continuing dental education maintain standards of excellence.
• Ensuring that the Continuing Dental Education Policy meets the needs of dentists and the public.
• Collaborating with the authorities at Quebec educational institutions involved in developing and revising programs of study leading to degrees that give the holder access to a permit or specialist's certificate, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The Examination and Accreditation Committee is responsible for:

• Ensuring that all hospitals have a well-structured dental service or department.
• Ensuring that all hospitals with an existing dental department or service are accredited by the Order.
• Establishing the standards and criteria for accrediting a hospital service or department.
• Studying the records of applicants requesting a multidisciplinary internship, and making appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
• Researching the credentials of all applicants seeking accreditation as specialists, and making appropriate recommendations to the competent authorities.
• Evaluating requests for a diploma or training equivalence from foreign candidates.
• Organizing the written and practical examinations prescribed by the Board of Directors, including their date, time and location, and advising candidates accordingly.
• Compiling and archiving the results of each candidate, and making appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The Council acts in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation respecting the procedure for the conciliation and arbitration of accounts of dentists. It rules on any dispute between an individual and a dentist regarding the amount charged for professional services.

The mission of the Audit Committee is to:

• Monitor the Order’s financial activities and identify the risks of losses to which it is exposed.
• Give its opinion to the Board of Directors and advise management on the substance and presentation of the Order’s financial reporting.
• Ensure that internal control mechanisms are respected and effective.
• Identify the main risks to which the Order is exposed and ensure that appropriate risk-management techniques are in place.
• Determine the rate of annual salary increases for recommendation purposes.
• Examine the Order’s annual budget forecasts, ensure compliance with the priorities adopted by the Board of Directors and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee, which examines the forecasts and recommends their adoption to the Board of Directors.
• Compare spending trends with budget forecasts on a quarterly basis and report to the Board of Directors.
• Recommend the appointment of the external auditor to the Board of Directors, for final recommendation at the Annual General Meeting of members.
• Review and approve the estimated charges for external auditing and for any expert accounting services required.
• Ensure the independence of the external auditor.
• Review, analyze and approve, in co-operation with the Executive Director and Secretary, the Director of Administrative Services and the external auditor, the audited annual financial statements submitted by the Executive Director and Secretary at the meeting of the Board of Directors preceding the Annual General Meeting, for presentation to the AGM.
• Ensure that surpluses reserved are invested in accordance with the investment policy of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec.
• Carry out any other tasks assigned to it by the Board of Directors.

In accordance with the Professional Code, the Board of Directors created the Admission Committee and delegated to it, under some circumstances, the power to examine and decide on the applications to practise the profession.

This Committee is responsible for developing the scientific program of the Journées dentaires internationales du Québec, the annual convention of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec. The Committee appoints speakers, organizes the schedule and oversees the logistical aspects of the event.

The role of the Young Members Committee is to encourage recent graduates to participate in the work of their professional order. The Committee's mandate is as follows:

• Formulate opinions on different subjects related to the Order's mission.
• Take an active part in seeking solutions, especially to issues affecting young dentists in Quebec.
• Suggest activities that could help young dentists integrate the profession.
• Exchange information on the operations of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec and the services offered.
• Submit recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The mandate of the Ethics Committee is to conduct studies and make recommendations regarding issues relating to personal and professional ethics submitted to it by the Board of Directors.

The Selection Committee for the Prix Hommage awarded by the Ordre des dentistes du Québec consists of three members elected by the Board of Directors. Every year, the Committee calls for and studies recommendations for recipients of the Prix Hommage.

The award recognizes the exceptional contribution by an ODQ member to the development of the profession, in keeping with the Order's mandate to promote dental health and public protection. It is presented annually at the Soirée Hommage held as part of the Journées dentaires internationales du Québec.