Description
Dental hygienist-owned businesses continue to grow in Canada. Since 2018, we have seen a 40% increase in the number
of independent dental hygiene practices. CDHA recognizes that as businesses continue to grow and mature, so do their
needs. This online course, consisting of four video modules and supporting resources, will provide guidance to
dental hygiene entrepreneurs on the next steps in expanding and diversifying their business.
The recommended prerequisite for this course is Business
Fundamentals: Ready, Set, Launch.
Module 1
Module 1 explores the recent trends in independent dental hygiene practice in Canada, the emotional path
entrepreneurs take as they build their business, and how to develop support systems.
Module 2
Module 2 highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration for building your client base and better
serving the oral health needs of your clients. This module also discusses how to maximize your online presence.
Module 3
Module 3 discusses the path from sole proprietorship to a corporation, the different types of corporations and their
benefits, and financing options.
Module 4
Module 4 provides guidance on onboarding staff and other health professionals into your practice, writing office
manuals and policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, incorporating software into your practice, and
franchising.
More Course Information
Course Information
This course is intended to support dental hygiene business owners who have established small or medium-sized
practices
and are looking to take the next step in business growth. Through solid business planning, supported by
other
knowledgeable professionals such as accountants and lawyers, this can be a very exciting and profitable
transition.
Concepts discussed in this course can be applied to an existing business model to help foster further
growth. Regardless
of the stage of business ownership, size of the business or chosen area of practice, all providers can learn
something
from each module.
Business Growth: Invest, Expand, Evolve comprises four modules, each consisting of a video
presentation and a quiz. Each
module will take approximately 20 to 50 minutes to complete, although you can take as much time as you need.
The course
is designed to watch online in the comfort of your home, at your convenience and your pace. The learning is
self-directed, and it is estimated that the entire course will take 2-3 hours to complete. There are
corresponding
PowerPoint slides for each module which can be downloaded and printed to facilitate notetaking. In addition,
there is a
list of online resources at the end of each module offering more in-depth information. The quizzes at the
end of each
module will support retention of the learned business concepts and give you an opportunity to apply your
learning. There
is no final summative examination. A certificate of completion issued by CDHA may be printed from your
computer upon
completion of all four modules and quizzes.
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. Business growth is often difficult and
tricky and needs
proper supports and guidance. This course will provide the resources needed to meet these challenges and
allow dental
hygienists to prosper as business owners and practitioners working independently.
Course Developers
Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Donna is a graduate of the dental hygiene program at the Canadian National Institute of Health, holds
a Bachelor of Arts
in psychology from Carleton University, and worked in the banking industry for 10 years prior to her
career in dental
hygiene. After working several years in both general and periodontal practice, Donna became a
faculty member, and most
recently held the position of preclinic coordinator at the Canadian National Institute of Health.
She holds a
certificate in Teaching and Training Adults from Algonquin College. Donna is the manager of
professional practice at the
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and is passionate about her role of providing guidance to
members of the
Independent Practice Network and to CDHA members on healthy and respectful workplace concerns.
Clayton De Corte, RDH
Clayton has been a registered dental hygienist since graduating in 1999 from the dental hygiene
program at Confederation
College. He worked in both general and periodontal practice and eventually opened his own
independent dental hygiene
business in 2015 with dental hygienists, a denturist, and a dentist providing oral health care. With
an urge to broaden
his horizons within the profession, Clayton retired from clinical practice and stepped into his
current role of
professional practice advisor at the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, providing advice and
direction to new and
established entrepreneurs.