Course Information

Registration for the courses is done online and all the courses are taken online in the comfort of your home, at your convenience and your pace. You may pause and restart at any time. It is expected that the entire program will take about 40 hours to complete, or about 8 hours for each course; however, you can take as much time as you need with the exception of the final examinations. You may wish to break up your learning into several shorter sessions.

A resource manual has been developed for each course. It can be downloaded and printed as a complement to each course. It is a valuable learning tool with the learning outcomes, pre-tests, exercises, activities, post-tests, resources such as links to websites, etc. It is important that your participation includes these learning activities because they have been designed to contribute to the knowledge required to pass the final examination. You will require a writing tool, calculator, and paper to complete the courses. Click on the course titles above for information about each course and to register.

A pre-test is presented at the beginning and a post-test at the end of each section of each course. A final timed multiple-choice examination is administered upon completion of each course. Upon successful completion of each examination, a certificate of completion issued by CDHA may be printed from your computer. Upon completion of the five courses, a hard copy of the certificate of completion for the certificate program will be issued by CDHA by mail.

Relevance to Practice

Entrepreneurs generally have strong beliefs about the services they will offer and are willing to accept a level of personal and professional risk to bring their dream to reality. Entrepreneurship is often difficult and tricky, as many new ventures fail. This certificate program will provide the resources and skills needed to meet these challenges and allow dental hygienists to prosper as independent practitioners.

Ann Wright

Ann Wright is currently a senior associate for a professional appraisal, brokerage, and consulting firm, and represents the eastern Ontario market. She has held numerous positions in dentistry: in private dental hygiene practice as an examiner for the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO), and as a clinical demonstrator in the dental hygiene program in Ottawa, at Algonquin College. Ann graduated from the dental hygiene program at the University of Toronto in 1971. Ann completed an MBA in 1995 at the University of Ottawa. Since then, she has held positions as regional manager, managing multiple dental offices, and as a practice management consultant. Ann brings an extensive business and consulting background to the preparation of this practical and interactive course.

Brenda Leggett

Brenda Leggett has over twenty years of experience as a dental hygiene educator at Georgian College and Algonquin College. She has practised in community health as a dental hygiene administrator, and remains active as a clinical dental hygienist in private practice. For ten years, she has participated as an item writer for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination, and presently represents the central region of Canada on the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board's Examination Committee. In addition, she is a College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) representative on the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada site-visit teams. Brenda is currently the information coordinator at CDHA. Brenda is a dental hygiene graduate of John Abbott College, holds an interdisciplinary BA in labour studies from Carleton University, and a library and information technician diploma from Algonquin College. Brenda assisted in the overall course development and pilot testing, and as a content expert.

Laura Myers

Laura Myers is currently the director of education at CDHA. She has extensive dental hygiene experience in education, administration, and restorative and community health, and remains active in clinical practice. Fluently bilingual, Laura has twelve years of experience as an educator at La Cité Collégiale and Algonquin College. She was the executive director of the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board for more than three years. She has served as a council member of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO), a member of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada site-visit teams, and a member of the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board's Examination Committee. She is the francophone representative on the board of directors of Dental Hygiene Educators Canada (DHEC). Laura is a dental hygiene graduate of John Abbott College and holds a BA in psychology from Carleton University. Laura is the project manager and presenter for this course.

CDHA wishes to thank CDHO for its financial contribution and ongoing support during the development of this course. CDHA would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the content experts for their initial review of the course and the dental hygienists who participated in the English and French pilot testing sessions. Their participation and involvement were essential to the quality and relevance of this course.