Provincial and Territorial Regulators
Regulators look after public interest by ensuring that all those who practise dental hygiene are competent to do so.
Regulatory authorities authorize individuals to practise. They are responsible for setting entry-to-practice requirements such as education, examinations and good character. Once an individual is registered (licensed) by the regulator, she or he may call her or himself a dental hygienist, may practise dental hygiene within that regulator’s jurisdiction, and must adhere to the rules, regulations and standards of practice set by the regulator.
The regulator is also responsible for ensuring the continuing competence of all dental hygienists it registers. Any complaints about dental hygienists are investigated and handled by the regulator.
Dental hygienists pay an annual registration (licensing) fee to the regulator.
It is illegal for a person to practise dental hygiene in a province or territory in which they are not registered.
Regulators take action against unregistered persons who pretend to be dental hygienists or who provide dental hygiene services.
For more information on registration requirements in each province or territory contact the Provincial/Territorial Regulatory Body of interest:
Alberta - Alberta College of Dental Hygienists (ACDH)
British Columbia - British Columbia College of Oral Health Providers (BCCOHP)
Manitoba - College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba (CDHM)
New Brunswick - New Brunswick College of Dental Hygienists (NBCDH)
Newfoundland and Labrador - Newfoundland & Labrador College of Dental Hygienists (NLCDH)
Nova Scotia - College of Dental Hygienists of Nova Scotia (CDHNS)
Northwest Territories - Dept. of Health and Social Services, Government of N.W.T.
Nunavut - Government of Nunavut Professional Practice Unit
Ontario - College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO)
Prince Edward Island - College of Dental Hygienists of Prince Edward Island (CDHPEI)
Quebec - Ordre des hygiénistes dentaires du Québec (OHDQ)
Saskatchewan - College of Dental Hygienists of Saskatchewan (CDHS)
Yukon - Department of Community Services Government of Yukon
For information on the profession, professional development, employment, and advocacy for the profession, contact:
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA)
1122 Wellington Street West
Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y7
CANADA
Telephone: 613-224-5515
Toll Free: 1-800-267-5235
Fax: 613-224-7283
Email: info@cdha.ca
Website: www.cdha.ca