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.

The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) hosted our second virtual Annual General Meeting on October 16, 2021. The CDHA Board of Directors also met virtually October 15, 16 and 17, 2021.

Key highlights from these meetings include the following:

Annual General Meeting

1,271 members registered for the 2021 virtual AGM.

Financial Statements and Appointment of Auditor
The chair of the audit committee, Anne Caissie, presented the 2020-2021 audited financial statements. KPMG was appointed as auditor for 2021-2022.

CDHA’s Board of Directors
Leanne Huveannars, Past President (President 2019-2020) and Director from Saskatchewan, and Beth Ryerse, Director from Ontario, completed their terms on the Board at this meeting. Leanne also served as president (2019-2020).

Leanne Huveannars
Outgoing Past-President
Saskatchewan

Beth Ryerse
Outgoing Director
Ontario

CDHA welcomed two new Directors, Jennifer Turner (Ontario) and Kaylen Anholt (Saskatchewan).

Jennifer Turner Ontario

Kaylen Anholt Saskatchewan

Wendy Stewart was installed as the new president of CDHA (2021-2022).

CDHA Board of Directors
The presentation of the CDHA Board of Directors for 2021-2022:

Bottom Row (left to right): Kathy Yerex – Manitoba; Anne Caissie – New Brunswick & President-elect; Donna Lee – North (representing Nunavut, Yukon & Northwest Territories)
Middle row (left to right): Rae McFarlane – British Columbia; Kaylen Anholt – Saskatchewan; Wendy Stewart – Nova Scotia & President; Jennifer Turner - Ontario
Top row: (left to right): Tiffany Ludwicki – Newfoundland & Labrador & Past President; Francine Trudeau – Quebec; Lana Clow - Prince Edward Island; Alexandra Sheppard – Alberta

2021 Awards
CDHA recognized 2021 award winners.

Canada’s 2021 Dental Hygiene Superhero
Natasha Kellett of British Columbia
Honourable Mentions
Holly Rynard, Ontario
Mara Sand, British Columbia

Oh Canada! Readers’ Choice Award
Mandy McGill - Healthy Smiles in Africa: A Dental Hygienist’s Vision, Spring 2021

CJDH Research & Writing Awards
Best Original Research Article (Volume 54):
Iris Feng, Mario Brondani, Christophe Bedos, and Leeann Donnelly

Best Literature Review (Volume 54):
Teresa La Chimea, Zul Kanji, and Susan Schmitz

CJDH Student Essay Award:
Amanda McKay (UBC)

Board Awards

Congratulations to the 2021 Life Membership Award winner

Mandy Hayre

Congratulations to the 2021 Distinguished Service Award winner

Donna Scott

Congratulations to the 2021 Award of Merit winners

Katharine Chatten

Paulette Dahlseide

Shivvon Hayles

25-Year Member Recognition
CDHA honoured our loyal, longstanding members. A total of 239 members were recognized this year for having maintained membership in the Association for 25 years.

Lisa Adair

Lioubov Agranovitch

Leslie Battersby

Mary Boffa

Daphne Burke

Stephanie Canfield

Carla Cavanaugh

Paulette Dahlseide

Sandra Dalton

Tricia Dureau

Suzanne Gravel

Khadijeh Hajiahmadi

Janet Hempler

Tiffany Hill

Carrie Hryciuk

Pamela Jackson

Angela M. Jay

Manon Labbe

Kimberley Laing

Dorothy Kimberly Langevin

Anna Laudadio

Whitney Love

Natalie MacDonald

Corrine McGuire

Tracy McLean

Cindy Middleton-Feedham

Joyce Mohr

Tanya Morris

Diane Nokonechny

Miroslawa O'Connor

Rachelle Pratt

Michelle Pynn

Chantal Racine

Karma Ritchie

Christine Robillard

Patsy Samion

Tamara Steele

Chantelle Szautner

Laurie Taylor

Ruth Urbaitis

Debbie Uskiw

Melanie Visser

Sheri Wellington

Norma Wheatley

Debbie Whittom

CDHA Partner’s Circle
CDHA's Partners' Circle is comprised of dental industry firms dedicated to the advancement of the dental hygiene profession and who recognize the important role that dental hygienists play in the oral health care team. CDHA acknowledged these highly valued and long standing partners of CDHA:

Key highlights from the Board meeting included:

• Board directors are the fiduciaries who steer CDHA towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as ensuring we have adequate resources to advance our mission. This was informed through the CEO’s presentation on an environmental scan and an update on the strategic plan, as they support the Board Ends (goals). In addition, Alec Milne, Principle with Framework Analytics Inc. reported on the results of CDHA’s recent membership survey to help inform the board’s work on updating the Ends (strategic direction of CDHA).
• After significant review and discussion, the board has updated the Ends for CDHA (effective May 1, 2022), as follows:

1. CDHA exists so that its members are able to provide quality preventive and therapeutic oral health care as well as health promotion for the Canadian public.
   1. Professional Knowledge - Members create, contribute to and utilize a growing body of professional knowledge and research. (Equals first priority)
   2. Public Policy Environment - A public policy environment exists that is beneficial to the practice of dental hygiene and the overall health of Canadians. (Equals first priority)
   3. Professional Practice – Members have the resources to work as an integral part of a health care team. (Equals second priority)
      1. Healthy and Respectful Workplace - Members have the resources to ensure a healthy and respectful workplace.
      2. Pandemic Response - Members have the resources to inform practice decisions regarding the pandemic response and recovery.
   4. Public Recognition - The Canadian public understands and values the dental hygiene profession. (Equals second priority)
   5. Leadership - Members’ potential for professional leadership is developed. (Equals third priority)

• The Chair of the Audit Committee, Anne Caissie, presented an Audit Committee report.
• The Chair of the Ownership Linkage Committee, Leanne Huvenaars, presented a report.
• Delphic Research, a company with expertise in political/policy intelligence, stakeholder analysis, policy research and development and predictive analysis, presented the findings and recommendations of a White Paper on National Oral Health Care. The board discussed and provided input on this initial report.
• The Board directs, controls and inspires CDHA through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting the Board's values and perspectives. Thus, one of the key roles of the Board is monitoring and assessing Board policies and executive limitations at each Board meeting. The Board reviewed and accepted the CEO Monitoring Reports and Governance Process policies. In addition, the board reviewed and updated numerous policies.
• The CDHA Board has two representatives to the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH)- Tracy Bowser and Beth Ryerse. The board reviewed the reports from the IFDH delegates. The board elected Jennifer Turner as the new delegate to IFDH for a 2-year term, replacing Beth Ryerse whose term was completed.
• The Board transitioned the presidency from Tiffany Ludwicki to Wendy Stewart.