Ontario Spousal Exemption
Collective voices and efforts with thousands of letters and social media engagement helped to make a difference in urging for the approval of the Regulated Health Professions Act exemption on spousal treatment for dental hygienists in Ontario. In an announcement to registrants by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, the spousal exemption regulation for dental hygienists was passed by the Ontario government on October 8, 2020.
Filling the Gap 2019
Following our Filling the Gap position paper in 2017 (read here), CDHA was awarded a grant to develop a new oral
health curriculum to reintroduce dental therapy training into postsecondary education programs. This education and
skill development will equip graduates with the skills to prevent oral disease, as well as alleviate unnecessary
pain and suffering.
Working with key stakeholders, the Canadian Competencies for a Baccalaureate Oral Health Practitioner: Combining
Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy Education was developed. This report outlines the core and service competencies of
the Oral Health Practitioner, as well as the proposed educational models. To read the full report, click here.
Federal Budget 2019
Each year, CDHA prepares a pre-budget submission to the Finance Committee during the consultation period. For budget
2019, CDHA recommended the federal government continue to expand and enhance policy and programming that would
improve access to oral healthcare for seniors and those living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
On Tuesday March 19, 2019, Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, tabled the 2019 federal budget entitled: Investing in the
Middle Class. CDHA has prepared a summary of the key aspects of the budget focusing on oral health care and how they
affect the profession. It is available here.