Registered dental hygienists are typically associated with a number of professional memberships and at least one regulatory college. Professional associations can be provincial or national and tend to include liability insurance coverage for the practicing member. We are also required to upkeep our First Aid and CPR – BLS certifications.
In Ontario, our licensing board is the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) of which I have been a licensed member since 2017.
My preferred professional association is the Canadian Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA). I have worked closely with members of the CDHA, by acting as liaison between Algonquin College’s dental hygiene students and the CDHA from 2014 to 2017. They provide excellent resources for continuing education and networking opportunities.
I have also been associated with the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association (ODHA) since my time in college, but over the last couple of years put a hold on my membership.
The Ottawa Dental Hygienists’ Society (ODHS) is an association of registered dental hygienists brought together through real passion and dedication to the profession. The group has frequent meetings (now held virtually) that range from social and support groups to continuing education seminars.
First Aid and CPR – BLS Certification 2021 obtained through the Heart & Stoke Foundation – Resuscitation & First Aid.