Board Meeting Highlights
CDHA’s board of directors works year-round in service of all members, setting priorities for the association and
advocating for the profession and the importance of oral health to overall health. Twice a year, board members normally
meet in person to discuss important operational and policy matters and review the association’s progress in meeting its
strategic goals.
Winter 2024 Board Meeting Highlights
The CDHA Board of Directors met in Ottawa, February 22-23, 2024.
Key highlights from the Board meeting:
Policy and Procedure
The Board directs, controls, and inspires CDHA through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting
the Board's values and perspectives. Another key role of the Board is monitoring and assessing policies and executive
limitations prior to each Board meeting. The Board reviewed and accepted the CEO Monitoring and Assessment Reports. The
Board completed a self-assessment on governance policies with the aim of continuous improvement.
Reports
The CDHA Board elects representatives to the International Federation of Dental Hygiene (IFDH). A report was received
from IFDH Directors Wendy Stewart, Alexandra Sheppard and Donna Lee.
Written reports were also received from the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada, the CDHA Nominations
Committee, and the President.
DEI Strategy
DEI Consultant, Shafana Mitha, joined the Board meeting and presented a high-level overview of key guides that she
developed for the Board including: Guide for developing land acknowledgements, Guide for reviewing policies with a DEI
lens, and a Guide for use of Pronouns. The board committed to taking DEI principles into consideration when new policies
are developed. Directors will also have the option of adding their pronouns and traditional territory on CDHA’s website.
Audit and Budget
- One of the key roles of the Board of Directors is its fiduciary responsibility. The board approved the draft
governance budget for the next fiscal year.
- In addition, Kathy Yerex, presented an update of the audit committee meeting.
- The Board reviewed the audit engagement proposal and approved the signing of the audit engagement letter with KPMG.
Discussion/Presentation with President of OHDQ
OHDQ President, Jean-Francois Lortie joined the meeting in-person to provide an overview of the profession in Quebec and
answered questions by the Board.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
The board discussed the CDCP, the working groups that were being established and the Oral Health Access Fund.
Awards
The board approved moving the Board awards call out and selection process next year to April.
Award of Merit
The CDHA Award of Merit is given annually to a maximum of 4 individuals who have voluntarily made a meaningful
contribution to dental hygiene and their community on a regular basis in a selfless, professional manner.
The Board selected the following four nominees for the 2024 Award of Merit:
Sally Lockwood,
Lara Timler,
Denise Pawlyshyn, and
Leta Zaleski
Nominations
The Director from Saskatchewan will be completing her first 3-year term on the Board this year. The Board affirmed
Kaylen Anholt’s position for a second 3-year term. An election will be held this year for the Director position in Alberta.
IFDH Delegate Election
The board held an election for the 2nd delegate to IFDH. Tayyaba Fiaz was elected and her term will begin immediately
and end in Fall 2025. CDHA’s president is the other delegate to IFDH and her term will also conclude at the CDHA AGM in
the Fall of 2025.
Date and times of future meetings
Summer 2024 Meeting - Virtual
July 30, 2024
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST
Fall 2024 Meeting
Niagara Falls, Ontario
October 20-21 Fall Board Meeting
AGM - Virtual
September 28, 2024
Winter 2025
February 20 – Lobby Day
February 21-22 – Board meetings
Student Ownership Linkage Session
On the Friday evening following the Board meeting, the Board hosted a session with students in Quebec to provide an
opportunity to network with board directors, provide valued input about the future of dental hygiene, and hear about
CDHA’s many member benefits. CDHA offered an AI translation tool so that participants to listen in the language of their
choice.